Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for detecting substance and alcohol ingestion. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of alcohol and substance exposure by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When procured near the scalp, hair can reveal an estimated 3-month timeframe for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional examinations, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically denotes scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory approach to processing a drug test result encapsulates four critical phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the introductory handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient method for dismissing substance use in the majority of samples, a positive screening needs confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening require a confirmatory analysis.
If a specimen is detected as positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is collected from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a challenging process.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the test assesses the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Karns, TN, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine testing. One of the notable benefits is its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing provides a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, making it an invaluable tool for employers aiming to maintain a drug-free workplace environment.
Hair follicle testing in Karns, TN offers a highly extended detection window, often up to 90 days. This capability allows employers to gain a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's drug use history over a more extended period, proving instrumental in assessing long-term substance use patterns.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Karns, TN significantly diminishes the likelihood of sample adulteration. By providing results that are nearly impossible to falsify, hair tests offer peace of mind to both employers and employees, ensuring that what is reported is trustworthy and accurate.
Convenience is a key feature of our nationwide testing services, including local options in Karns, TN. These centers offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, ensuring that testing can be performed at convenient locations without unnecessary delays.
The hair follicle testing process in Karns, TN is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. This simplicity addresses any concerns individuals might have about the procedure, ensuring a seamless experience.
In Karns, TN, hair follicle testing is not only fast but also affordably priced. Our competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times offer exceptional value for companies of every size, delivering reliable results without compromising on quality or efficiency.
Hair follicle drug tests in Karns, TN deliver results that exemplify speed and precision. The high accuracy of these tests ensures reliable detection of substance use, with results quickly processed to meet the needs of employers and individuals alike. This promptitude in delivering results is crucial in maintaining workplace integrity and ensuring swift decisions.
For employers in Karns, TN, hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal risks. This testing method not only enhances workplace safety but also provides employers with peace of mind, knowing they are maintaining a compliant and responsible work environment.
