Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are recognized as an effective method for detecting the presence of drugs and alcohol. The fibers of hair strands capture biomarkers, providing a prolonged history of substance use, including alcohol. When samples are collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil), taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a sample size of 150mg is recommended. It's advised to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The initial stage, Accessioning, incorporates a sample into the laboratory system. This process includes confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening stage consists of a preliminary, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Prior to confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined 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 commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests offer significant advantages over traditional urine tests in Hornsby, TN. This method boasts superior detection accuracy, making it hard for users to manipulate the results compared to more conventional testing methods. Hair testing's reliability is unbeatable due to its stringent collection process, ensuring detected substances are authentic and providing a precise glimpse into one's substance use history.
In Hornsby, TN, hair follicle testing is lauded for its ability to detect drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days. This prolonged detection period offers employers a detailed view of an individual’s drug history. Unlike other tests, hair analysis ensures comprehensive insights into past drug use, thus enabling informed hiring decisions and improved workplace safety through its exhaustive assessment capability.
Hair follicle testing in Hornsby, TN, significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering, offering authentic and irrefutable outcomes. The nature of hair sampling makes it hard to adulterate, unlike other methods. This integrity in collection and analysis ensures that results are trustworthy, granting parties involved complete assurance of the test results’ accuracy and validity, thus bolstering confidence in their hiring and compliance processes.
Our nationwide and local testing centers in Hornsby, TN, provide ease of access and convenience for those requiring hair follicle drug testing. These facilities ensure quick, efficient, and stress-free testing experiences. By offering widespread locations, we guarantee that the testing process is handled swiftly and with minimal disruption, making it handy for both individuals and employers who need prompt testing services.
In Hornsby, TN, the hair follicle testing process is marked by its simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test, taking the sample, to receiving results, each step emphasizes ease of use and respects privacy concerns. Understanding the need for discretion, our procedure ensures sensitive handling of information and supports confidentiality, providing peace of mind and reassurance to participants.
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Hornsby, TN, make hair follicle testing a cost-effective choice for companies. Ensuring fast results without compromising quality, we provide great value in testing services, supporting businesses of any scale. Our affordable solutions ensure businesses can manage testing requirements efficiently while maintaining budgetary constraints, facilitating economic considerations.
In Hornsby, TN, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests stand out, delivering highly accurate results in identifying substance use. These tests provide rapid results, essential for employers needing speedy decisions. The method's high accuracy rate ensures that substances are reliably detected, regardless of their ingestion time. Hair testing offers a dependable solution for employers striving for fast and precise evaluations.
Employers in Hornsby, TN, benefit from using hair follicle drug testing to ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method helps prevent legal challenges by enhancing workplace safety through steadfast procedures. By adhering to rigorous testing strategies, companies not only reduce legal exposure but also foster a secure environment, ensuring peace of mind for both employers and employees alike.
