Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair acts as a historical record of drug and alcohol consumption by preserving biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can offer an approximately 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collection is straightforward, making it difficult to tamper with and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (roughly the circumference of a #2 pencil) taken from near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, extra tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. The term ‘head hair’ specifically refers to scalp hair. Conversely, ‘body hair’ encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Overview of the Process
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample upon its entry into the laboratory system. This process ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entries not already provided by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening provides a preliminary analysis for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result from a screen must be confirmed to be legally valid in court. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at noticeably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair testing a challenging methodology to execute.
Positive screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is done on the strand of hair, not the follicle below the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Singleton, TX. Hair tests offer superior advantages over traditional urine tests, with their unmatched detection capability. Hair tests can provide a longer and more precise history of substance use, highlighting their reliability and accuracy far beyond what urine tests can offer.
Furthermore, hair tests remain effective even with more elaborate substance use histories, assuring employers with zero-tolerance policies of dependable results that bolster policy enforcement confidently.
Extended Detection Window in Singleton, TX. With the ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days, hair follicle tests give employers valuable insights into an individual's comprehensive substance history. This extended timeframe significantly surpasses that of urine tests, which can only detect recent drug use.
Employers frequently turn to hair testing to gain a holistic view of potential employees' long-term habits, crucial for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Singleton, TX. Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the potential for sample adulteration. The unique nature of the testing process makes it challenging for individuals to alter or tamper with results, ensuring reliable, indisputable outcomes.
Organizations adopting hair testing benefit from this security, gaining confidence in the authenticity of every test administered, thus upholding rigorous safety and ethical standards.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Singleton, TX. Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including Singleton, TX, ensures that convenient, quick, and easy access to testing services is always available, eliminating barriers to crucial testing processes.
This extensive reach simplifies the testing process for local employees and employers, guaranteeing seamless access to reliable testing services wherever needed.
Simple, Confidential Process in Singleton, TX. Ordering, completing, and receiving results from a hair follicle test in Singleton is a straightforward and confidential procedure. We prioritize privacy throughout the process, ensuring every step is simple and discreet.
For both employers and employees, this commitment to confidentiality fosters trust and encourages proactive testing without concerns over data protection or unauthorized disclosure.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Singleton, TX. Our pricing structures are competitive, and our service is marked by quick turnaround times. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from excellent value on testing, allowing them to maintain cost-effective compliance and safety standards without delay.
Businesses reap the advantages of financially viable testing solutions paired with fast results, enabling timely policy reinforcement without budgetary strains.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Singleton, TX. Hair follicle testing ensures quick and precise detection of drug use, offering unparalleled accuracy. The method not only minimizes the chances of errors but also provides results swiftly, making it a trustworthy choice for testing in Singleton.
Organizations rely on hair tests for their detailed accuracy, which confirms substance presence critically. These tests expedite the decision-making process for employers needing reliable data on employee conduct.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Singleton, TX. Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures strict adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This proactive approach not only minimizes legal risks but also substantially enhances workplace safety, securing a more compliant and secure environment.
Employer reliance on hair testing translates to peace of mind, knowing policies are consistently enforced and the workplace remains safeguarded against illicit substance use impacts.
