Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they grow. When hair is gathered from near the scalp, it can reveal up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively hard to alter, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. Additional tests like EtG or those exceeding 10 panels require 150mg of hair. It's advised to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary rapid evaluation for the presence of drugs. Although screening is an economical way to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening result must be validated to be used in legal proceedings. Samples identified as presumptively positive during screening require further confirmation.
When a specimen tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated 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: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Choose Hair Testing? In Hardin Valley, TN, hair follicle testing proves more effective than urine tests due to superior detection accuracy. It not only identifies substance use better but also provides reliable, evidence-based insights.
Extended Detection Versus Urine showcases hair follicle testing's advantage in offering a longer detection time, capturing drug use much earlier than urine tests do.
Accurate and Dependable, hair tests reduce false negatives compared to urine tests, aligning with stringent compliance needs and maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Extended Detection Window is a key benefit of hair follicle testing in Hardin Valley, TN, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of up to 90 days of drug use history.
Detailed Historical Insight from hair tests provides businesses with a clear understanding of an individual's long-term drug use, supporting informed hiring decisions.
The Longer Timeline of hair follicle tests enables employers to assess substance habits effectively, ensuring an applicant or employee's compliance with drug-free policies.
Secure Testing through hair follicle methods drastically reduces tampering possibilities, ensuring the authenticity of collected samples in Hardin Valley, TN.
Tamper-Resistant Features of hair tests safeguard against adulteration, offering reliable outcomes that withstand scrutiny.
Using a Unquestionable Method, hair follicle tests minimize risks of altering results, providing peace of mind with each testing procedure.
Nationwide Accessibility through our testing centers simplifies hair follicle testing for individuals and businesses in Hardin Valley, TN, providing easy access across locations.
Local Convenience is assured with our strategically placed centers, promoting hassle-free testing experiences tailored to community needs.
Our Comprehensive Network ensures testing services are readily available, supporting quick and efficient testing procedures nationwide.
Confidentiality and Ease are at the forefront in Hardin Valley, TN, with our straightforward process for ordering, testing, and receiving hair test results, safeguarding privacy throughout.
Simple Process of hair follicle testing alleviates concerns about complexity, ensuring an easy experience from start to finish.
A Discrete Approach emphasizes our commitment to maintaining privacy while delivering reliable testing results to clients efficiently.
Competitive Pricing of hair follicle testing in Hardin Valley, TN highlights its economic feasibility for companies of any size, while maintaining service quality.
Fast Turnaround times from our testing services ensure that businesses receive prompt results, aiding in quick decision-making processes.
With Cost-Efficient Solutions, our hair tests not only deliver financial benefits but also enhance operational effectiveness through speedy processing.
Fast and Precise hair follicle drug testing in Hardin Valley, TN ensures accurate identification of substance use. Its precise detection ability sets it apart, offering clearer insights into drug usage patterns.
Reliability and Speed go hand in hand with hair follicle testing. Providing quick results with high accuracy, this method is trusted for efficient substance use detection.
With Rapid Processing, hair tests afford businesses the reliability they seek, delivering results that reflect true usage patterns and aiding in informed decision-making.
Ensuring Compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Hardin Valley, TN, hair follicle testing offers employers a consistent approach to maintaining safety and reducing legal exposure.
Peace of Mind is achieved through hair follicle testing by adhering to legal standards and keeping work environments secure from substance influence.
Emphasizing Legal and Safety Compliance, hair follicle testing supports businesses in fulfilling policy requirements while fostering a safer workplace culture.
