Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The power of hair testing lies in its ability to detect alcohol and drug consumption. It offers a comprehensive history by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug activity over a span of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
For an optimal screening and confirmation sample, a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair. However, for EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. In cases where scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. When we reference head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory processes involve four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially brought into a laboratory system, ensuring it’s correctly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs a rapid initial examination for substances of abuse. It is a cost-efficient means to identify drug usage in the majority of samples, yet a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing preliminarily positive results in Screening require secondary validation.
If the Screening stage indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than through other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of a positive screen utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. Every step of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is analyzed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Referred to frequently as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually performed on the hair strand rather than the underlying hair follicle.
In Bernstein, TX, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are evident. Hair tests provide a more extensive detection period for substances, typically covering up to 90 days. This allows a deeper insight into an individual's history with drug use, offering crucial information for making informed decisions.
The longer detection window is critical for employers seeking to enforce drug-free workplace policies effectively.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Bernstein, TX is one of its standout features. Unlike other testing methods, this test can identify drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers with a comprehensive understanding of a person's substance use history.
This prolonged analysis capability is invaluable for organizations that prioritize long-term substance evaluation over recent use alone.
Hair follicle testing in Bernstein, TX significantly reduces the chance of sample tampering. This tamper-resistant testing method ensures that results are trustworthy and difficult to alter.
Thanks to the way samples are collected and processed, there is added security against adulteration, providing peace of mind for those relying on these results for important decisions.
Convenience is key when it comes to testing locations in Bernstein, TX. Accredited Drug Testing offers a vast network of nationwide centers making it simple and straightforward to access testing services.
The process for ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle testing in Bernstein, TX is simple and confidential.
Affordability and fast turnaround are the highlights of hair follicle testing services in Bernstein, TX.
Competitive pricing structures make this testing accessible for organizations of varying sizes, while efficient processing guarantees the quickest possible turnaround for test results. Companies benefit from both value and the peace of mind that comes with quick, reliable data.
In Bernstein, TX, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results.
The precision with which these tests detect substance use is unparalleled, making them an ideal choice if quick and accurate results are required. The high accuracy rate guarantees that employers receive dependable information against which to measure decisions related to hiring or maintaining personnel.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Bernstein, TX helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplaces. The robust testing method supports adherence to workplace policies, thereby mitigating legal risks associated with potential substance abuse.
Employers can achieve peace of mind knowing that they are upholding a safe and compliant work environment for their whole organization.
