Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When taken from close to the scalp, hair can provide around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to adulterate, and conveniently shipped.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processes associated with a drug test outcome entail four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning focuses on the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry that is not done via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for traces of drug misuse. Though Screening offers a cost-effective means to eliminate drug usage in many samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves the low-concentration extraction of drugs from hair, unlike other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most complex to execute.
Confirmation follows any positive Screening result through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation, as needed. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test targets the hair strand and not the follicle itself beneath the scalp.
In Oak Grove, TN, hair follicle testing stands out as a superior method compared to traditional urine tests. Its benefits include enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, making hair testing the preferred choice for comprehensive substance use evaluation.
Hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, TN, offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window, up to 90 days. This provides employers with a thorough insight into a person’s substance use history, supporting informed and responsible decision-making.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, TN, significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures reliable and authentic testing outcomes, greatly enhancing the credibility of the test results.
Testing services in Oak Grove, TN, are made convenient through numerous nationwide centers. This accessibility ensures a seamless and efficient process for obtaining drug tests, catering to local and broader needs effortlessly.
The process for hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, TN, is straightforward and confidential. It ensures privacy and simplicity from ordering to obtaining results, addressing user concerns about ease and security effectively.
Affordability and rapid turnaround times highlight the value offered in Oak Grove, TN, for hair follicle testing. This ensures cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to manage substance testing needs efficiently.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing in Oak Grove, TN provide unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use. This testing method ensures rapid and precise results, making it an ideal choice for those seeking reliable drug use detection.
In Oak Grove, TN, hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, offering peace of mind through enhanced policy enforcement.
