Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of the hair strand capture biomarkers, offering a prolonged timeline in the detection of alcohol and drugs. When gathered near the scalp, hair can extend a detection period of up to about three months for these substances. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for assessment and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step checks that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplemental data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though an economical approach to exclude drug use in most instances, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples indicating a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initial batch for Extraction. This involves drugs being drawn from hair at minimal concentrations, distinguishing it as the most intricate methodology compared to others like urine or oral fluid testing.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleaned as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation aligns with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Siesta Shores, TX, surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. It offers enhanced detection accuracy and is more reliable, with an extended detection period that urine tests cannot match. Employers and other professionals benefit from a clearer assessment of drug use.
Employers in Siesta Shores, TX, enjoy a comprehensive view of substance use history with hair follicle testing. With detection capabilities up to 90 days, these tests provide a detailed examination of an individual's past drug use, offering a clearer picture compared to other methods.
In Siesta Shores, TX, hair follicle tests mitigate the risk of sample adulteration. Their stringent collection process ensures reliable and unquestionable results, making them a tamper-resistant choice for drug screening where accuracy is paramount.
Siesta Shores, TX, benefits from our nationwide network of testing centers, providing convenient access to drug testing services. These accessible locations ensure testing is quick, easy, and seamless, meeting the needs of individuals and employers alike.
The process of ordering and taking hair follicle tests in Siesta Shores, TX, is both simple and confidential. With a focus on privacy and ease of use, clients can feel secure in their testing experience from start to finish, receiving results with confidence.
In Siesta Shores, TX, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing and quick results provide excellent value, ensuring peace of mind for businesses of every size seeking reliable testing solutions.
In Siesta Shores, TX, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their fast and accurate results. They offer a swift turnaround, ensuring that detection of substance use is both prompt and reliable. These tests stand out for their high level of precision, making them ideal for efficient testing processes.
Using hair follicle testing in Siesta Shores, TX, employers can maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind for employers committed to a safe and productive environment.
