Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis emerges as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When procured near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample of around 200 strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be obtained. It’s important to note that 'head hair' specifically means scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any supplementary data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While being a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome during Screening must go through an additional confirmation step.
When a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In the Extraction phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses for the most intricate method to execute.
The Confirmation of any positively screened results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes examination 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: Despite being often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually evaluates the hair strand, not the subcutaneous hair follicle.
In Big War Creek, TN, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to its extended detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests, unlike traditional urine tests, offer comprehensive insights into substance use over a longer period, providing employers with more dependable data.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Big War Creek, TN, offers a thorough analysis of substance use history. This allows employers to review an applicant's or employee's drug use comprehensively, surpassing traditional methods that cover shorter timeframes.
Hair follicle testing in Big War Creek, TN, is tamper-resistant, significantly minimizing the chances of sample adulteration. This ensures that results remain reliable and undisputable, providing clarity and confidence in the testing outcomes.
Discover the convenience of nationwide locations in Big War Creek, TN, with accessible testing centers across the country. This network ensures that testing can be conducted quickly and hassle-free, providing easy access to critical services for employers and individuals alike.
Our process for hair follicle testing in Big War Creek, TN, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy is maintained, and the entire process is user-friendly and straightforward, addressing concerns and ensuring ease of use.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing in Big War Creek, TN, we ensure excellent value. Our competitive pricing and efficient service accommodate companies of all sizes, providing peace of mind and quality assurance.
Fast and precise, hair follicle drug testing in Big War Creek, TN, delivers quick and reliable results. Its accuracy shines by detecting substance use effectively, providing real-time insights and helping employers make well-informed decisions swiftly. This testing method stands out for its capability to maintain the speed of processing.
Hair follicle testing fosters compliance and peace of mind for employers in Big War Creek, TN. It aligns with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety. This efficient approach supports a culture of trust and security within organizations.