Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and narcotics by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as they develop. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal a detection window lasting up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample size of 1.5 inches, encompassing 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil), provides 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for thorough screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test process comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. It involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, swift examination for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed to be valid in judicial proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening do necessitate further verification.
If presumptive positivity occurs during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are obtained from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab method from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers clear advantages over traditional urine tests in Lake Norden, SD. One significant benefit is the enhanced detection accuracy, allowing for the identification of substance use over a more extended period.
The reliability of hair testing is unmatched, providing employers and authorities with greater confidence in the test results compared to the often-alterable urine tests, ensuring a fair assessment.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Lake Norden, SD provides unparalleled insight into an individual's substance use over up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to obtain a comprehensive view of an employee's drug habits.
With such a broad timeframe of detection, decisions on hiring or maintaining employment become more informed, reducing the chance of overlooking potential drug issues.
In Lake Norden, SD, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant testing method. The collection process involves direct observation, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration and ensuring authenticity of the results.
This reliability makes hair testing a preferred method where integrity of the results is crucial, as it consistently delivers unquestionable evidence of drug use.
With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Lake Norden, SD, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward. We ensure quick and easy access to testing facilities, reducing hassle for businesses and individuals.
Our extensive network of facilities allows clients to receive timely service no matter their location, ensuring that drug testing needs are met efficiently.
The process for hair follicle testing in Lake Norden, SD is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results is streamlined, addressing client concerns about privacy and ease of access.
Each step is designed to uphold client confidentiality while delivering swift results without unnecessary complexities, ensuring a smooth experience.
Our hair follicle drug testing services in Lake Norden, SD offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, making them accessible for companies of various sizes. Competitive pricing ensures that you receive value for your investment.
The swift processing of test results means less waiting time and greater efficiency, providing employers with timely information to make important decisions.
Hair follicle drug tests in Lake Norden, SD offer fast, accurate, and reliable detection of substances. Their precision is due to their ability to analyze a wider timeframe of usage, ensuring that employers can rely on the outcomes for critical decisions.
Utilizing advanced technologies, hair tests are capable of delivering results with high accuracy within a shorter processing timeframe, making it a preferred choice for those seeking efficient testing solutions.
Employers in Lake Norden, SD gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Implementing it ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal risks associated with non-compliance.
A drug-free work environment not only upholds safety standards but also reassures employees and clients alike of the company's commitment to workplace integrity.