Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assays have gained recognition as an effective means for identifying substance use. Hair offers a lengthy retrospective history by immobilizing biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising nearly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be used, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal phases in lab processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial entry in the lab's system. It verifies the sample's seal and dispatch correctness, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any residual data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening functions as an initial, rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most cases, positive screenings require confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Any samples showing a presumptive positive result need subsequent confirmation.
For samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening, a portion of additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction step. In this phase, drug components are drawn from hair at a notably lower density than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing amongst the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Any confirmed positive results undergo verification using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected to be positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Carbon, TX, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy when compared to urine tests. This method offers a comprehensive and reliable assessment, ensuring that employers and other stakeholders receive highly accurate results. The advanced detection capabilities make hair tests a preferred choice for stringent drug screening policies.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Carbon, TX is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, it offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance history. This long-term view is invaluable for maintaining safety and compliance in various settings.
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering in Carbon, TX. This testing method enhances the integrity of the results by making it extremely difficult to adulterate samples. As a result, employers and legal professionals obtain honest assessments free from manipulation.
With numerous testing centers throughout the nation, including Carbon, TX, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience. Accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and easy, minimizing hassle and ensuring an efficient process for all clients seeking dependable drug testing solutions.
The process for conducting hair follicle tests in Carbon, TX is designed to be simple and confidential. Clients can expect a seamless experience from ordering to receiving results while maintaining privacy throughout the process. This approach addresses all concerns related to ease of use and discretion.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Carbon, TX provide excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable structure, ensuring they receive cost-effective solutions without compromising on speed or reliability.
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Carbon, TX are noteworthy. With rapid turnaround times, these tests deliver reliable results that ensure quick, accurate assessments of substance use. Employers can count on this method for its unmatched detection accuracy, providing peace of mind for informed decision-making.
Employers in Carbon, TX find peace of mind through hair follicle testing’s compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment, this method helps organizations maintain a reliable and efficient workforce, safeguarding against potential liabilities and issues.