Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for monitoring drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term data regarding substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they develop. When clipped near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), and nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for analysis and verification. For tests including EtG, add-ons, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If head hair is not accessible, an equal quantity of body hair can be utilized. The term 'head hair' specifically refers to hair from the scalp, while 'body hair' includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process of determining a drug test result in a laboratory includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning means entering a sample into the laboratory's system. This stage checks that the sample has been sealed and transported correctly, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any missing data that wasn't included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves a preliminary scan for substances that are commonly abused. While Screening is an efficient means to eliminate the possibility of drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation before it holds up legally. Samples found to be presumptively positive during Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for analysis during the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Any positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in McEwen, TN, surpasses traditional urine tests with its superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis reveals longer drug-use histories, providing a broader scope of detection and reducing the chances of negative results due to sample dilutions or substitutions. This makes hair testing a preferable choice for comprehensive drug screening.
With hair follicle testing, employers in McEwen, TN, gain insight into an individual’s drug history over a more extended period of up to 90 days. This extensive detection window surpasses urine testing, offering a comprehensive overview into an applicant or employee's past substance use. Thus, it furnishes employers with valuable data to make informed hiring or retention decisions.
Hair follicle tests in McEwen, TN, offer a robust defense against tampering, almost nullifying the risks of sample adulteration. Such tests provide results that are dependable and robust, filtering out attempts to alter the sample effectively. This assurance ensures that employers and legal bodies receive accurate assessments that reflect genuine drug use, safeguarding the integrity of the screening process.
Our vast network of testing centers in McEwen, TN and beyond ensures unmatched convenience. With locations throughout the nation, accessing drug testing services becomes quick and hassle-free. This widespread availability underscores our commitment to delivering flexible and accessible testing solutions to meet client needs efficiently and rapidly.
The process of ordering and receiving hair follicle test results in McEwen, TN is straightforward and confidential. With a focus on maintaining privacy, clients are assured simple procedural steps, from sample collection to results retrieval. This ease-of-use framework ensures privacy and confidence throughout the testing journey.
Offering competitive rates and swift turnaround in McEwen, TN, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value for companies of any size. Clients benefit from budget-friendly pricing and rapid results, furnishing peace of mind with a cost-effective approach that aligns with their financial and operational needs.
In McEwen, TN, hair follicle tests offer unparalleled precision and speed in detecting substances. Known for their high accuracy, these tests swiftly confirm substance use, ensuring quick and reliable outcomes. Hair testing technology exceeds traditional methods, delivering complete results within a short span, thus enhancing efficiency and assurance in handling drug test needs effectively.
Employing hair follicle testing in McEwen, TN helps ensure compliance with drug-free work policies, offering peace of mind for employers. It reduces legal risks and incidents that could arise from workplace substance misuse. By adopting this testing, companies maintain safer environments and demonstrate commitment to employee welfare and legal adherence.
