Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use data for up to about three months. This method is uncomplicated to gather, fairly resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, serving as the optimal sample for both initial screening and further confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is recommended. It is advisable to measure the specimen with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The drug test laboratory process consists of four central phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, a sample is first incorporated into a lab's system. This phase includes ensuring correct sample seal and shipment, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) at random, and completing any extra information entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial swift review for substances of abuse. While economical, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in judicial settings. Samples with presumptive positives need further confirmation.
For samples indicating presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original batch and prepped for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at substantially lower concentrations than seen with methods like urine or oral fluid analysis, showcasing the complexity of hair drug screening techniques.
Analyzing and confirming any positive results involve GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS processes. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire procedural series from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP's (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests," these tests assess the hair shaft, not the root beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over urine tests in Tusculum, TN. With superior accuracy, hair tests detect a broader range of substances over a more extended period. While urine tests focus on short-term detection, hair tests provide a reliable history of drug use, enhancing overall detection accuracy.
In Tusculum, TN, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window, revealing drug use over the past 90 days. Such a comprehensive view into an individual's substance history is invaluable for employers, allowing for better-informed decisions regarding potential hires or current employees.
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of tampering in Tusculum, TN. Providing trustworthy results, this method ensures sample integrity, making it nearly impossible for individuals to adulterate the test, thereby guaranteeing reliable and credible outcomes.
Convenience is at the forefront, with easy access to nationwide and local testing centers in Tusculum, TN. Hassle-free services cater to individuals and businesses, ensuring swift and straightforward test administration without the inconvenience of distant travel.
The hair follicle testing process in Tusculum, TN, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Addressing privacy concerns, the streamlined procedure ensures comfort for test-takers from ordering to result delivery, maintaining user confidence throughout.
Affordable pricing paired with quick turnaround times characterize hair follicle testing in Tusculum, TN. Providing outstanding value, our competitive pricing ensures that companies of all sizes benefit from efficient testing services without compromising on cost.
Hair follicle drug tests boast precision and speed, offering reliable results in Tusculum, TN. With remarkable accuracy, these tests efficiently identify substance use, making them a preferred choice over other methods. Individuals and organizations can trust in the fast and accurate outcomes this testing provides.
Employers in Tusculum, TN, can achieve peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing, which aids compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Reducing legal liabilities, this method also enhances safety, ensuring a trustworthy environment that aligns with regulatory guidelines.
