Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a prolonged record by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When hair is clipped near the scalp, it offers a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, altering is relatively challenging, and shipment is uncomplicated.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp area supplies 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, supplementary tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. Measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be acquired. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. All other types, like facial or axillary, are defined as body hair.
Process Overview
The key steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning handles the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab's system. This process checks that the specimen was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary, rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be verified to be court-valid. Samples with potential positive results during Screening demand a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample show potential positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.
Confirmation of any Screening-positive result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation, if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the full lab procedure is supervised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Shadehill, SD
Hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy for detection and reliability compared to traditional urine tests, making it a preferred option.
Extended Detection Window in Shadehill, SD
Hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive view of substance use over an extended period, up to 90 days, offering a clear picture of one's drug history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Shadehill, SD
Hair follicle tests reduce the risk of sample tampering, offering reliable results, enhancing the validity of the test outcome.
Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Shadehill, SD
With widespread testing facilities, obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward and accessible throughout the nation and locally.
Simple and Confidential Testing Process in Shadehill, SD
From ordering to receiving results, the process ensures privacy and simplicity, addressing user considerations effectively.
Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround in Shadehill, SD
Our pricing is competitive, and turnaround time is fast, offering significant value and assurance for businesses of any size.
Fast and Accurate Results in Shadehill, SD
The efficiency and precision of hair follicle tests in Shadehill, SD, make them an excellent choice for quick results. The accuracy level is notably high when it comes to substance use detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Shadehill, SD
Hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks, and ensuring a safe working environment.