Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a potent resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and other drug intake by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered adjacent to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample for assessment and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be sourced. When mentioning head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four core steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for potentially abused drugs. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples tentatively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a significantly lesser concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp
Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine tests in Long Valley, SD? The reasons are apparent: superior detection accuracy and reliability are key factors. Unlike urine tests, hair examinations offer a broader detection window, identifying substance use that standard methods might miss, making them a preferred choice for thorough testing.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Long Valley, SD offers employers a detailed look into an individual's drug history. This extended period allows for the identification of habitual usage patterns that short-term tests cannot reveal, thus providing a substantial foundation for informed decision-making.
Tamper-resistant methods ensure hair follicle tests deliver unquestionable outcomes in Long Valley, SD. The process reduces the likelihood of sample alteration, giving credible, reliable results. This added security guarantees the validity and integrity of the examination, fostering confidence in the testing process.
Our strategically located testing centers nationwide and locally in Long Valley, SD provide convenient access to our services. This broad reach ensures that businesses and individuals can engage with our quick and efficient services effortlessly, making testing a smooth and hassle-free experience.
The hair follicle testing procedure in Long Valley, SD promotes a simple, confidential process, ensuring peace of mind. From test ordering to result reception, everything is managed quietly, addressing privacy concerns and maintaining ease of use for all clients, laborers, and employers.
In Long Valley, SD, our hair follicle testing services are marked by affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Cost-effective pricing structures ensure accessibility for all business sizes, while our prompt result delivery provides value and assurance, balancing cost-effectiveness with efficiency effortlessly.
Hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results in Long Valley, SD. Their precision in detecting substance use surpasses traditional methods, offering a thorough assessment. This method ensures high accuracy due to the hair's ability to retain chemical traces, making it an essential tool for employers seeking dependable results.
Employers in Long Valley, SD gain compliance and peace of mind by integrating hair follicle testing in their drug policies. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace regulations, diminishes legal pitfalls, and enhances safety measures, assuring companies of a stable and secure work environment.
