Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments have emerged as an effective mechanism for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extensive timeline of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is advised. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. Referencing head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in the lab processing for a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning starts with the sample’s preliminary registration into a lab's system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplemental data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial assessment for drug abuse. Though an economical method for ruling out drug use across most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed to hold up legally. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug assessments:
Drawbacks:
Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle assessments", these evaluations analyze the hair strand, not the follicle within the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing in Mount Vernon, TX, are impressive. While both methods aim to identify substance use, hair testing demonstrates superior detection capabilities. It offers unparalleled accuracy and dependability, making it harder for individuals to bypass results. Employers benefit from these robust testing results, ensuring safety and compliance in the workplace.
In Mount Vernon, TX, hair follicle drug testing offers an extensive detection window, revealing drug use history up to 90 days prior. This longevity allows employers to gain a detailed perspective on an individual's long-term substance use habits. By utilizing hair testing, companies can make more informed decisions regarding potential or current employees.
Hair follicle testing in Mount Vernon, TX, significantly diminishes the likelihood of sample tampering. Unlike other methods susceptible to adulteration, hair testing provides assured accuracy and reliability. This tamper-resistant nature of the test strengthens the confidence of results, offering peace of mind to employers and agencies requiring trustworthy drug screening procedures.
Mount Vernon, TX, offers convenient access to hair follicle testing through our nationwide network of testing centers. These facilities provide quick and hassle-free testing services, ensuring that all individuals and businesses have easy access to reliable testing solutions, whenever needed, across various locations.
In Mount Vernon, TX, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving results, each step is designed with privacy and ease in mind. This approach assures individuals and employers of a seamless experience while maintaining confidentiality.
Mount Vernon, TX, provides hair follicle testing at competitive prices with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for companies of any size. The cost-effective nature and quick results offer peace of mind and make this testing method a practical choice for employers aiming to maintain workplace standards effectively.
In Mount Vernon, TX, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its fast and precise results. This method ensures high accuracy in detecting substance use, even long after substances have been ingested. Compared to other techniques, hair testing provides a reliable assessment quickly and efficiently, making it a preferred choice for many employers and organizations.
Employers in Mount Vernon, TX, can enjoy peace of mind by employing hair follicle testing, ensuring alignment with workplace drug-free policies. This method minimizes legal concerns and elevates workplace safety standards. By adopting hair testing protocols, businesses reinforce their dedication to maintaining a secure and compliant working environment.
