Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is gaining recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record for alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will obtain 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. It involves confirming that the sample was sealed and transported properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that show presumptive positive results in Screening require secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positives during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to undertake.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and matches the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Southeast Bradley, TN offers numerous benefits. Hair testing is recognized for its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides a comprehensive overview of substance use, offering precise insights that make it a preferred choice.
Hair follicle testing in Southeast Bradley, TN is notable for its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This method gives employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance history, beyond the scope of standard tests, ensuring a more informed decision-making process.
In Southeast Bradley, TN, the resilience of hair follicle tests against tampering stands out. This method drastically reduces the chance of sample adulteration. The robust nature of hair tests provides results you can trust, offering employers and legal entities unwavering confidence in the findings.
The convenience of having numerous testing centers, including those in Southeast Bradley, TN, makes hair follicle testing accessible. Nationwide centers guarantee seamless and hassle-free access to testing services, allowing easy and quick participation in the testing process.
The process of hair follicle testing in Southeast Bradley, TN is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use, making the testing experience stress-free and secure for all participants.
In Southeast Bradley, TN, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle tests offer great value. We cater to companies of all sizes, providing cost-effective solutions and peace of mind through our affordable rates and prompt results.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests in Southeast Bradley, TN set them apart. Known for their high accuracy, these tests can give swift and exact results. The hair follicle method stands out, effectively detecting substance use with minimal false positives, ensuring confidence in the test outcomes.
Employers in Southeast Bradley, TN benefit substantially from hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. By opting for hair tests, companies boost compliance measures and promote a secure working environment.
