Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol intake. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands during growth. When taken near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month window for identifying alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When addressing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Step-by-Step Overview
The lab processing of a drug testing result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's system. This consists of ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry not covered by an electronic custody chain.
Screening consists of a preliminary swift examination for drug presence. Though Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug consumption for most samples, a positive result must be substantiated for court admissibility. Samples presumptively positive during Screening necessitate an additional verification.
If a sample is initially positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at lower concentrations than other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples initially positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. The entire lab course from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing is advantageous in Church Hill, TN due to its superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. It provides a longer detection window, allowing for better identification of drug use, and is less invasive. Employers benefit from hair tests as they offer more consistent and reliable results, minimizing the risk of falsified samples, which can often occur with urine testing through various tampering techniques.
In Church Hill, TN, hair follicle testing is notable for its extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This method gives employers a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance history, offering insight beyond the immediate past. Longer detection periods equip businesses with knowledge of drug use trends over time, enabling more informed hiring and retention decisions based on a comprehensive overview.
Hair follicle testing in Church Hill, TN offers a reliable, tamper-resistant option for drug testing. Because it's challenging to adulterate hair samples, the accuracy and legitimacy of testing outcomes are preserved. This method safeguards against the usual risks of dilution or substitution associated with urine tests, ensuring that organizations receive dependable results that accurately reflect an individual's drug use history.
Convenience is paramount for those seeking testing in Church Hill, TN, and our nationwide network of testing centers ensures easy access to services. With locations strategically positioned, obtaining a hair follicle test is hassle-free, no matter your location. This accessibility means that both individuals and businesses can quickly and efficiently fulfill their testing needs without undue disruption or travel.
In Church Hill, TN, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and ensures confidentiality from start to finish. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are streamlined for ease, reassuring all participants of the privacy maintained throughout. This discreet process is tailored to guarantee the user's comfort while providing accurate and reliable results with a strong focus on maintaining confidentiality.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Church Hill, TN presents a budget-friendly and efficient option for businesses of varying sizes. This testing method not only delivers cost-effective solutions but also guarantees timely results, enabling companies to maintain their productivity while gaining valuable insights into their workforce's substance use history, enhancing overall organizational peace of mind.
For individuals and employers in Church Hill, TN, hair follicle tests offer quick, accurate, and reliable substance use detection. The process ensures timely results, assisting companies in making informed decisions promptly. Hair testing outpaces other methods through its precision in identifying a broad range of substances, ensuring that test results truly reflect an individual's substance use habits over the past months, not just recent history.
Employers in Church Hill, TN experience peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning with workplace drug-free policies and compliance standards. This method supports legal and safety requirements by providing precise results that reinforce a zero-tolerance approach. Implementing hair testing significantly reduces the risk of non-compliance, enhances workplace security, and simplifies policy adherence.
