Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. It captures a durable record of these substances by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can reveal a detection time frame of up to 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp is needed to obtain 100mg of hair for effective screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is preferred. It's suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing. If no scalp hair is available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. Here, head hair specifically means scalp hair, whereas body hair denotes other types (face, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four essential phases in lab processing for drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This stage includes ensuring the sample is sealed and transported properly, the allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and the completion of any further data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening carries out a quick preliminary check for drug substances. It offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, yet any positive Screening results demand further confirmation for legal validation. Any samples with a presumptive positive during Screening require secondary verification.
In cases of presumptive positive results at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging techniques to execute.
Confirmation of positive screening is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating a presumptive positive are cleansed before undergoing confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Austonio, TX, holds significant advantages over traditional urine tests. With superior accuracy and reliability, hair testing offers a detection period that spans weeks rather than days. This longer timeframe provides a clearer picture of an individual's substance use history, making it a dependable choice over urine tests.
Employers in Austonio, TX, benefit from hair follicle testing, which highlights drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window is invaluable, offering a comprehensive view into an employee's history, far surpassing the limitations of shorter-term solutions.
In Austonio, TX, hair follicle tests are a reliable method against sample tampering. They significantly mitigate risks associated with adulteration, ensuring that results are trustworthy and accurate, which is critical for maintaining organizational standards.
Our testing services in Austonio, TX, and nationwide provide easy access to drug testing solutions. This convenience ensures quick, hassle-free testing, accommodating various needs efficiently, thus promoting timely decision-making processes.
The process for hair follicle testing in Austonio, TX, is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed with privacy in mind, ensuring that clients feel secure and at ease throughout the entire procedure.
In Austonio, TX, our hair follicle drug testing services offer competitive pricing with swift turnaround times. This ensures that businesses, regardless of size, receive value for their investment in maintaining a safe and compliant workforce.
In Austonio, TX, the efficiency and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. These tests provide quick, precise results, making them a preferred choice for detecting substance use. Their ability to accurately spot drugs is crucial in maintaining workforce integrity, ensuring a safe and productive environment.
For employers in Austonio, TX, using hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By doing so, companies minimize legal risks and bolster workplace safety, keeping operations smooth and compliant.
