Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can present nearly a 3-month observation period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and conveniently shipped.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, extensions, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. Reference to head hair means scalp hair exclusively. Body hair indicates all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in processing a drug test result in the laboratory consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's system. This step encompasses confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening denotes an initial rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug usage on most samples, a confirmed positive screen is required for court admissibility. Samples that are presumably positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be presumably positive in the Screening phase, more hair is retrieved from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing against traditional urine tests in Lockney, TX, hair testing demonstrates superior reliability and accuracy.
Hair follicle tests in Lockney, TX, provide an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use. This offers employers a broad perspective of substance histories in applicants or employees.
In Lockney, TX, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method. By minimizing the chances of adulteration, these tests ensure results are reliable and unquestionable.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with nationwide and local centers, including in Lockney, TX. This ensures easy and hassle-free service access.
In Lockney, TX, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Our procedure ensures ease of use while prioritizing privacy.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround, our services in Lockney, TX, provide excellent value. We ensure companies of all sizes receive prompt service without financial strain.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Lockney, TX, set them apart. Their high accuracy levels are invaluable for detecting substance use, providing results that stakeholders can depend on.
Employers in Lockney, TX, can achieve compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. It ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks.
