Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means to identify the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a repository for a prolonged history of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands as the hair grows. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can yield a detection span of approximately three months for alcohol and various drugs. It is easy to acquire, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (comparable in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug presence in most specimens, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.
If the Screening phase indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is fetched from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drug compounds are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which underscores the complexity of hair drug testing procedures.
Positive results from screening are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if deemed necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the conformance to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the underlying hair follicle
The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine tests is evident in Yorkville, TN.
Hair tests offer greater detection accuracy, capable of identifying substance use for up to 90 days–far surpassing traditional urine testing. This makes them ideal for detecting ongoing use. Reliability is also enhanced, given the difficulty of tampering with samples, unlike urine tests which are more easily manipulated.
Yorkville employers benefit greatly from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing.
With a capacity to track drug use up to 90 days, these tests provide a detailed overview of an individual’s substance use history.
Hair follicle testing in Yorkville, TN is virtually tamper-resistant.
Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less prone to adulteration, offering results that are both reliable and indisputable.
Convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing’s nationwide centers, extending to Yorkville, TN.
We offer quick, accessible testing solutions, eliminating hassle for clients.
Our testing process in Yorkville, TN is designed for simplicity and confidentiality.
From ordering to receiving results, privacy is paramount, ensuring user comfort at every step.
In Yorkville, TN, we offer competitive pricing with unbeatable value.
Our hair follicle tests ensure quick turnaround times, catering to businesses of all sizes.
In Yorkville, TN, hair follicle drug tests boast unmatched precision and reliability.
These tests not only ensure fast results but also maintain exceptional accuracy in substance detection, leaving no room for doubt.
Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies becomes stress-free with hair follicle testing in Yorkville, TN.
Employers can minimize legal risks and enhance safety, knowing they have a robust testing method.