Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibrous structure of the developing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and substances. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp translates to around 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to verify the sample's weight with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initiation of a sample into a lab's processes, including confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any auxiliary data recording not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug use in most samples, but any positive screening must be authenticated for legal admissibility. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are separated from hair at much lower levels than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which underscores the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptively positive receive a wash before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Hidden Timber, SD, hair follicle drug testing clearly outpaces traditional urine tests. The detecting capability is far superior, with a greater accuracy rate. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer:
Hair follicle testing in Hidden Timber, SD offers an exceptionally extended detection window for drug use, up to 90 days. This gives employers ample information on an individual’s historic drug usage. Key benefits include:
The hair follicle testing method used in Hidden Timber, SD is remarkably tamper-resistant, minimizing the chances of sample adulteration. This robustness provides:
With testing facilities widely available in Hidden Timber, SD and across the nation, convenience is guaranteed. The network of centers ensures:
In Hidden Timber, SD, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. This ensures ease of use, addressing privacy concerns through:
Affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Hidden Timber, SD an excellent value. Businesses, regardless of size, can benefit from:
In Hidden Timber, SD, the precision and rapid results delivered by hair follicle drug tests are exceptional. These tests ensure high accuracy, enabling effective detection of substance use. Key attributes include:
The implementation of hair follicle testing in Hidden Timber, SD confers assurance in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. For employers, it reduces legal liabilities and enhances safety through:
