Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately 90 days for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is encouraged. It's advised to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. When referring to head hair, it means scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective way to rule out drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be permissible in court. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is pulled from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Volin, SD, offers distinct advantages over urine testing. While traditional urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests provide superior accuracy and reliability with a longer detection window. This makes hair follicle testing an invaluable tool in identifying consistent substance abuse over time, offering unmatched fidelity compared to urine testing.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Volin, SD, is a notable advantage. Capable of detecting drug use for up to 90 days, it provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance history, far exceeding the short-term scope of traditional testing options.
Hair follicle tests in Volin, SD, are significantly tamper-resistant, deterring sample adulteration attempts. By capturing samples directly from the body, these tests deliver reliable and authentic results, minimizing manipulation opportunities and offering trustworthy data for employers and legal requirements.
Volin, SD, benefits from convenient nationwide and local testing centers. Our facilities offer quick and stress-free access to drug testing services, ensuring clients can effortlessly meet their testing needs at locations suited to their requirements.
The process for hair follicle testing in Volin, SD, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to be private and user-friendly, assuaging any privacy concerns and allowing for a seamless testing experience that respects individual confidentiality.
Competitive pricing and fast turnaround define the hair follicle testing in Volin, SD. Our cost-effective solutions and quick result delivery provide exceptional value, accommodating companies of all sizes while offering peace of mind through comprehensive and timely reporting.
In Volin, SD, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and speed. Offering high accuracy in substance detection, these tests rapidly deliver results, enabling swift decision-making for employers and concerned parties. Their efficiency outshines other methods, providing peace of mind through reliable outcomes.
Employers in Volin, SD, gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle tests. These tests ensure adherence to workplace drug-free standards, mitigating legal liabilities and bolstering workplace safety by creating clear records of employee substance use behaviors.
