Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within the strands, offering a historic record of alcohol and drug use. Close-to-scalp hair samples can reveal a detection period of almost three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to any other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The process for laboratory handling of drug test outcomes consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab system, ensuring the sample was sealed and conveyed correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any complementary data absent from an electronic custody framework.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly tactic to rule out drug use across most samples, a positive result demands confirmation for legal admissibility. Any sample considered presumptively positive after Screening necessitates further verification.
Should a Screening phase yield a presumptively positive outcome, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. In this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation for any positive Screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples indicated as presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the examination evaluates the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle
In New Summerfield, TX, hair follicle testing is proving to surpass traditional urine methods. Compared to urine tests, hair analysis offers a superior detection period and reliability. Where urine tests are limited to recent drug intake, hair testing reveals a detailed history of use, making it the preferred choice for employers aiming to maintain safe and drug-free workplaces.
Employers in New Summerfield, TX are increasingly turning to hair follicle testing for its extended detection window. Capable of uncovering drug use up to 90 days prior, this method offers a thorough overview of an individual’s substance history. This comprehensive timeframe aids in making informed decisions regarding hiring or continuing employment, ensuring a commitment to safety and policy adherence.
Hair follicle analysis in New Summerfield, TX is lauded for being a tamper-resistant testing method. Unlike other testing types where sample adulteration might occur, hair testing stands strong against such risks, providing irrefutable results. This level of security and reliability sets it apart, reassuring both employers and clients of its integrity.
In New Summerfield, TX and beyond, the convenience of our nationwide testing locations ensures easy access to services. Our extensive network of centers offers quick and hassle-free testing solutions, making it straightforward for clients to have tests done without the inconvenience of long travels or wait times.
The simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing in New Summerfield, TX reassures clients about privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving the results, the procedure is designed to be straightforward, addressing privacy concerns, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
In New Summerfield, TX, keeping costs manageable while ensuring quality is key, which is why we emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing structures align with quick result times, presenting companies with substantial value and the peace of mind necessary for effective management.
Hair follicle testing in New Summerfield, TX offers fast, accurate, and reliable results. The advanced technology employed provides high precision in detecting substance use, speedily informing both employers and individuals. The accuracy level of these tests ensures that detection encompasses a wide range of substances, giving stakeholders confidence in the outcome.
Employers in New Summerfield, TX find compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. By ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace standards, legal risks are diminished and safety is enhanced. This method supports companies in maintaining a safe environment, ensuring compliance with established drug policies.