Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to send.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample weight for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or checks beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers solely to hair from the scalp. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and doing any other necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use for most samples, its positive results must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Any sample initially positive in Screening requires further confirmation.
When a sample yields a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), which accounts for why hair drug screening presents the most challenging technique.
For confirming any positive screening, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is employed. All samples presumed positive are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", they analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Utica, SD, surpasses traditional urine tests in multiple ways. Its extended detection window unveils drug use from up to 90 days ago, a stark contrast to the limited timeframe urine tests can cover. This advantage ensures superior accuracy, as hair tests resist tampering and provide consistent and reliable results. Employers seeking comprehensive assessments benefit greatly from this robust testing option.
Employers in Utica, SD, find hair follicle testing indispensable due to its extended detection period. Unlike other methods, hair tests reveal substance use up to 90 days prior, offering a thorough overview of an individual’s drug history. This extended window is critical for employers needing a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance habits, influencing safer hiring and retention decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Utica, SD, is renowned for its tamper-resistant properties. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are exceedingly difficult to adulterate, ensuring the integrity of results. This reliability is crucial, as employers require trustworthy data to enforce drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing risks of manipulation, hair tests deliver unquestionable, reliable outcomes, fostering a safer work environment.
Offering unmatched convenience, our nationwide network, including Utica, SD, provides accessible and hassle-free drug testing services. With extensive local locations, we ensure easy access to our testing centers, minimizing time away from work. This widespread availability underscores our commitment to meeting the needs of modern employers, simplifying the testing process for businesses across diverse regions.
At our Utica, SD locations, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, we prioritize privacy and simplicity. This ensures that employers and employees alike face minimal hassle and can trust the discretion of their testing procedures. Our streamlined approach addresses concerns about ease of use, making us the preferred choice.
In Utica, SD, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle drug tests, aligning value with affordability. Our efficient processes guarantee a swift turnaround, delivering results promptly without compromising quality. This fast and cost-effective service supports companies of all sizes in maintaining compliance and safety, reinforcing our commitment to affordability and excellence in drug testing solutions.
In Utica, SD, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed. This testing method swiftly detects a wide spectrum of substances, providing employers with reliable results. Its high accuracy rate ensures that substance use is identified without doubt, making it a critical tool for maintaining safe and compliant workplaces. With quick processing times, hair tests deliver fast, accurate insights for employers.
In Utica, SD, employers achieve peace of mind using hair follicle tests to enforce drug-free policies. By ensuring compliance, businesses mitigate legal risks associated with workplace substance use. This testing method supports a safe environment, protecting both employee welfare and company interests. The reassurance gained from reliable test results enhances overall workplace safety and operational confidence.
