Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by holding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected from near the scalp, hair can present up to about a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair might be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Procedure Summary
There are four primary steps in the laboratory processing of drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of processing a sample within a laboratory's system. This step includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary swift examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Any samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening finding is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Pros of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the examination analyzes the hair strand, not the scalp follicle.
Why does hair follicle testing excel compared to urine testing in Burnet, TX? Hair tests' capacity to track drug use over a much longer duration eclipses traditional urine tests. This prolonged detection window coupled with accuracy and reliability, delivers a more comprehensive assessment. While urine tests may falter in this aspect, hair testing provides clarity and assurance with its refined precision and consistent results.
Hair follicle testing in Burnet, TX offers an extended window of detection, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a discerning view of a candidate or employee's substance use over a meaningful period. With this wider frame, assessments become deeper and more informative, thus enhancing the evaluation process and helping maintain a drug-free work environment effectively.
In Burnet, TX, hair follicle drug tests are a robust solution against tampering. The method significantly reduces risks of sample adulteration, yielding trustworthy and indisputable results. Unlike other testing methods, the integrity of the sample is preserved effectively, providing assurance of accurate substance use reporting. This tamper-resistant approach ensures greater reliability compared to alternatives.
Our testing service's nationwide reach, including convenient locations in Burnet, TX, assures accessibility and ease. With centers spread across various regions, individuals and businesses benefit from prompt and seamless service access. This extensive network ensures that testing is not only efficient but also hassle-free, providing a stress-free experience for all clients.
The hair follicle testing process in Burnet, TX is streamlined for confidentiality and simplicity. From ordering to obtaining results, every step respects privacy and promotes ease of use. This thoughtful approach addresses any personal privacy concerns while ensuring the entire process remains straightforward and user-friendly for individuals and corporate clients alike.
In Burnet, TX, our hair follicle testing stands out for its affordable pricing and swift turnaround. Companies of all sizes benefit from competitive rates, paired with timely results, maximizing value. This cost-effective model helps manage budgetary constraints while offering peace of mind through rapid access to dependable substance use data.
In Burnet, TX, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision. These tests offer high accuracy, making it easier to detect drug use without delay. The process ensures that individuals and organizations receive rapid and reliable results, confirming its superiority in reliability. This quick turnaround time not only supports timely decision-making but also maintains an accurate reflection of an individual's substance use status.
Leveraging hair follicle testing in Burnet, TX ensures employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing peace of mind. This method reduces legal exposure and bolsters workplace safety by facilitating adherence to regulatory standards. By adopting these reliable testing practices, companies can maintain diligent oversight on their drug enforcement strategies.
