Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it offers a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. This method of collection is easy to perform, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length and consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar volume of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample as it enters a laboratory’s system. This step entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While it’s a cost-effective strategy to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be legally valid. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
For samples presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are drawn out from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug testing a challenging methodology.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, as well as ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," these evaluations actually analyze the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Fall Branch, TN, reveals significant benefits, including superior drug detection over an extended period. Hair tests offer more reliable results, capturing substance history up to 90 days, surpassing conventional methods in precision.
The meticulous nature of hair follicle testing ensures greater detection accuracy, providing a robust alternative to urine testing, thus boosting employer confidence in the hiring process.
In Fall Branch, TN, the long detection window of hair follicle testing, reaching up to 90 days, gives employers comprehensive insights into a subject’s substance history, a feature unmatched by shorter-term tests like urine.
Hair follicle tests present an unparalleled detection span, capturing patterns of use that other methods might miss, thus offering businesses a thorough understanding of their workforce’s substance use.
Hair follicle tests in Fall Branch, TN, significantly lower the opportunity for sample tampering, offering dependable and unquestionable outcomes, as the integrity of collected hair samples is maintained throughout the testing process.
The robust nature of hair follicle testing in deterring adulteration makes it an ideal choice for ensuring that test results are authentic and reliable, bolstering trust in the findings.
In Fall Branch, TN, our nationwide network of testing locations offers unparalleled convenience, ensuring that drug testing is both swift and straightforward for users across the country.
Our widespread availability of local testing centers guarantees easy access, facilitating a stress-free experience when scheduling drug and alcohol screens.
In Fall Branch, TN, our drug testing process is straightforward and secure, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering through obtaining results. The streamlined procedure alleviates concerns about confidentiality and complexity.
The simple, private nature of our testing procedures ensures that individuals and employers can confidently navigate the process, securing accurate and discreet results with minimal effort.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our services in Fall Branch, TN, deliver exceptional value to businesses of all sizes, ensuring affordability does not compromise quality.
Our cost-effective pricing structure, combined with fast result delivery, ensures businesses receive both reliable service and cost savings, reinforcing our commitment to budget-friendly solutions.
In Fall Branch, TN, hair follicle tests provide fast, precise, and dependable outcomes, significantly enhancing the detection of substance use. The agility and accuracy of these tests make them superior for employers and legal institutions seeking reliable data on drug use.
The stringent techniques employed in hair follicle analysis ensure the swiftness and reliability of results, making them an ideal choice for quick and accurate assessments of substance use patterns.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Fall Branch, TN, assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, easing legal concerns and enhancing safety for employers.
The adherence to hair testing not only facilitates regulatory compliance but also fosters a safer and more accountable work environment, offering peace of mind to employers and stakeholders.
