Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a potent means for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair serves as a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection range for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and easily transported.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, composed of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil width) near the scalp, provides 100mg of hair — the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG testing, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves processing a sample into the lab’s system for the first time. This step ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any sample that tests positive at the Screening stage requires additional confirmation.
Should a sample test positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples testing positive initially are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Kimball, SD, hair follicle testing is often preferred over urine testing due to its unique benefits. Superior detection characteristics mean identifying drug use over a more extended period.
In Kimball, SD, hair follicle tests provide a notably extended detection window of up to 90 days. This enables employers to gain insight into an individual's long-term substance use status.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests offers significant advantages in Kimball, SD. These tests minimize sample adulteration risks, ensuring reliability you can trust.
Offering convenient nationwide testing facilities, including local centers in Kimball, SD. Ensuring easy and hassle-free access for testing needs.
In Kimball, SD, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to results, the steps are designed for privacy and ease of use.
Companies in Kimball, SD appreciate our affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Offering excellent value and quick solutions for diverse organizational needs.
Renowned for their precision, hair follicle drug tests in Kimball, SD, offer unmatched accuracy and speed. Quick turnaround times ensure results without delay, perfect for fast-paced environments.
Employers in Kimball, SD benefit from hair follicle testing for compliance and peace of mind. This method supports drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal exposure while enhancing safety.
