Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal an up to 3-month detection window for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and tests beyond 10 panels, it's advisable to use 150mg of the sample. It's recommended to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. The term 'head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, while 'body hair' pertains to other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the sample's initial entry into a laboratory system. This involves confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drug use. Although Screening offers a cost-effective means to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court admission. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much reduced concentrations compared to other approaches (like urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexities in hair drug screening.
Positive results from screening undergo Confirmation through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated pursuant to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing drug testing methods in Thompson's Station, TN, hair follicle testing assumes a leading edge.
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and deliver results that are difficult to dispute due to their reliability.
Choosing hair follicle tests over urine ones means benefiting from an extended detection period and reduced chances of misinterpreted or false outcomes, offering peace of mind to both employers and individuals.
Hair follicle testing in Thompson's Station, TN allows for a broader examination window.
With detection capabilities extending up to 90 days, these tests provide employers with a clear perspective of substance use history.
Offering insights beyond recent drug use, hair follicle tests afford a thorough evaluation of an individual's behaviors over a significant duration, supporting informed decision-making.
Protecting sample integrity in Thompson's Station, TN is paramount, and hair follicle testing excels in this domain.
The tamper-resistant nature of these tests ensures that results are credible and trustworthy.
By minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, hair follicle tests provide an undeniable assessment of drug presence, enhancing the confidence in the testing process among stakeholders.
In Thompson's Station, TN, the ease of access to testing centers stands as a major advantage.
With convenient, nationwide locations, individuals and companies can easily undergo testing with minimal hassle.
The availability of nearby testing options eliminates accessibility concerns, simplifying the logistics for routine drug testing programs and reducing wait times for all stakeholders.
The process of hair follicle testing in Thompson's Station, TN is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind.
Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results is straightforward, catering to user comfort and privacy.
The streamlined process ensures that all participants feel secure in their personal information's protection, safeguarding confidence in the testing protocol.
In Thompson's Station, TN, competitive pricing complements the swift service offered by hair follicle testing.
These tests promise fast turnaround times while ensuring cost-effectiveness, delivering excellent value for organizations of varying scales.
By maintaining affordability alongside high-quality outcomes, businesses can rely on hair follicle testing as a financially savvy choice for robust drug use assessment.
In Thompson's Station, TN, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and rapid results.
These tests stand out due to their ability to quickly and accurately detect substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes.
The efficiency of hair follicle testing means that individuals can expect fast turnaround times accompanied by high accuracy, making them an ideal choice for immediate and dependable results.
Employers in Thompson's Station, TN looking to uphold drug-free environments find hair follicle tests invaluable.
These tests support compliance, mitigate legal risks, and uplift safety standards across the workplace.
Implementing hair testing in workplace policies not only reinforces adherence but also offers employees a safety net of reliability and assurance.
