Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. It maintains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair's structure as it grows. Hair collected near the scalp can showcase a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for substances. The collection process is straightforward, it's challenging to tamper with, and it's easy to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for testing and verification. For EtG tests, enhancements, or screenings beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advisable. In cases where scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome incorporates four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the sample's initial introduction into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and addresses any lacking data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not have covered.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for potential substance abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to discount drug use for most samples, a positive result demands verification for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives identified during Screening mandate subsequent validation.
When a sample is potentially positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than what's typically feasible with other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging approach.
Final verification of positive Screening outcomes occurs using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples considered potentially positive undergo necessary pre-confirmation washing. This laboratory workflow from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
In Piedmont, SD, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage over urine tests. It boasts superior detection accuracy, ensuring reliable results, unlike the more traditional urine test.
Employers favor hair testing due to its extended window of detection, providing a comprehensive picture of substance use and surpassing the urine test's brief observation period.
Hair follicle tests in Piedmont, SD, offer a 90-day detection window, which is invaluable for employers. This allows for thorough understanding of a candidate's substance habits before hiring.
The extended period captured by hair testing provides a more complete profile of an individual's drug use history, marking it superior to other methods in robustness and reliability.
Hair follicle testing in Piedmont, SD, minimizes sample tampering risks, unlike other methods. This ensures test integrity and trustworthy outcomes without question.
The difficulty in adulterating or substituting a hair sample makes it a prime choice for accurate drug testing, reducing potential avenues for test manipulation.
Piedmont, SD, benefits from our extensive network of testing centers, ensuring accessibility to top-rate testing services anywhere. This makes the process swift and straightforward for all.
Our local and nationwide locations remove the hassle from drug testing, providing ease and efficiency for individuals and employers alike in onboarding new hires.
The process in Piedmont, SD, for ordering and receiving hair test results is simple and private. We prioritize confidentiality, addressing privacy and ease of use concerns.
Our service ensures a smooth experience from start to finish, making hair testing a convenient option for those in need of discreet yet effective drug screening.
In Piedmont, SD, we offer competitive prices and rapid turnaround for hair drug testing, providing excellent value for businesses of various sizes.
Our affordable offerings coupled with speedy processing make hair follicle testing an attractive proposition for employers seeking cost-effective drug testing solutions.
Hair follicle tests in Piedmont, SD, ensure fast and precise results. Their high accuracy in identifying substance use surpasses traditional methods, catering to employers' need for reliable data.
The hair test's efficiency in detecting drugs contributes to its popularity. Quick processing times mean employers can swiftly make informed decisions without compromising on accuracy.
For employers in Piedmont, SD, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies. This reduces legal exposure while promoting a safe work environment.
The reliability of hair tests offers peace of mind by supporting the company's zero-tolerance stance and adherence to all regulatory requirements.
