Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by imbedding biomarkers into the strands of the growing hair. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month detection window for such substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg—the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be compiled. References to head hair imply scalp hair only, while body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially entered into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need secondary confirmation.
In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screen is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if required. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often described as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the strand of hair rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Richland, SD, the former emerges as a superior choice. The accuracy of hair analysis outperforms conventional urine tests, capturing a broader detection window. This method ensures enhanced detection accuracy and reliability in identifying substance use.
Employers and legal authorities who require high precision find hair testing invaluable. The method's superior detection capabilities over urine testing make it indispensable in fostering a safe and compliant environment.
In Richland, SD, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capable of revealing drug use up to 90 days prior. This method allows employers to scrutinize an individual’s substance history comprehensively, enhancing their decision-making process.
Employers gain significant insights into applicants or employees with this long detection period that traditional methods lack. It enables organizations to study substance use over months, not just days, enriching evaluations.
Hair follicle testing is hailed in Richland, SD, for its inherent tamper resistance. The robust testing method significantly diminishes risks related to sample adulteration, ensuring that results cannot be easily manipulated.
This testing proves beneficial for workplaces and legal settings alike, providing unquestionable results and maintaining rigorous standards against any attempts to deceive the system.
Available throughout Richland, SD, and across the nation, our convenient testing centers ensure easy access. Nationwide coverage allows for quick and hassle-free drug testing services, meeting diverse needs across various locations.
Being easily accessible and strategically located, we make testing simple and convenient wherever required, offering swift service without unnecessary delays.
In Richland, SD, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. This method addresses privacy concerns, ensuring ease and discretion at each stage.
The streamlined approach not only guarantees user comfort but also ensures that results are received confidentially, maintaining individual privacy intact throughout the testing procedure.
Richland, SD, benefits from competitive pricing and fast turnaround in hair follicle testing. Providing cost-effective solutions, we ensure quality service for organizations, regardless of scale, delivering maximum value.
Our prompt result delivery promises swift decision-making capabilities, supporting businesses with fast-paced operations without compromising on accuracy or reliability.
The precision and promptness of hair follicle drug tests in Richland, SD, mark their superiority. By offering high accuracy, these tests precisely detect substances, ensuring reliable outcomes. Rapid processing coupled with dependable results makes hair testing a preferred choice among professionals.
Hair tests deliver fast and accurate results, enhancing confidence in the testing process. Their meticulous nature ensures that obtained data is both valid and reliable, reflecting true substance use patterns.
Incorporating hair follicle testing in Richland, SD, ensures compliance with stringent workplace drug-free policies. This testing method helps mitigate legal risks, providing peace of mind for employers aiming for a secure workspace.
Adopting such testing strategies enhances employee safety, supports organizational policies, and establishes a proactive approach to minimizing legal disputes related to substance use.
