Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination has emerged as a robust resource in identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. The hair offers an extended historical record of drugs and alcohol through the capture of biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When obtained from near the scalp, the hair can indicate drug or alcohol use over a roughly three-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and conveniently transported.
A 1.5-inch lock of about 200 hairs (approximately matching the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jewelry scale. If head hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is suitable. References to head hair imply only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's framework. It's essential to check that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, generate a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfill any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes an initial rapid probe for illicit drugs. While Screening is an economical strategy to exclude drug use for most samples, any positive result in this phase necessitates confirmation to stand in legal settings. Samples presumed positive in Screening must undergo further verification.
In cases of a presumptive positive outcome during Screening, extra hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Verification of any positive outcomes from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. If required, all samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation. The complete analysis process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards of accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug screening:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand and do not involve the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Van, TX, they demonstrate superior advantages in detecting substance use. The reliability and detection accuracy that hair tests offer cannot be understated.
Hair testing is favored due to its longer detection periods and less invasive procedures, making it the preferred choice for comprehensive drug screening.
The benefits of hair testing stand out as:
In Van, TX, hair follicle testing is distinguished by its extended detection window, shining light on a person's substance history for up to 90 days.
This robust timeline gives employers a full spectrum view of an individual's substance usage, uncovering patterns that shorter-term tests, like urine tests, may miss.
Key advantages include:
The tamper-resistant method innate to hair follicle drug tests offers a leading edge in ensuring authentic results in Van, TX.
These tests extinguish the risk of sample adulteration effectively, thereby securing the legitimacy of substance use evaluations.
Hair tests are fundamentally advantageous due to:
Convenience is at the forefront with our nationwide testing centers, including those in Van, TX.
This expansive network ensures that accessing hair follicle test services is quick and hassle-free for both individuals and organizations.
The convenience offered by our locations is evident in:
The process for ordering, executing, and receiving results for hair follicle tests in Van, TX is remarkably simple and confidential.
The ease with which clients can navigate through the procedures reinforces confidence and reduces apprehensions about privacy.
The simplicity of our process is characterized by:
In Van, TX, the affordable pricing and swift turnaround times of hair follicle testing enhance its appeal to organizations of varying sizes.
Competitive rates paired with fast results create a desirable balance of cost-efficiency and value.
Notable aspects include:
The hair follicle drug testing services provided in Van, TX emphasize top-notch precision and speed. Hair follicle tests stand out due to their remarkable accuracy.
With highly sensitive detection methods, these tests capture a broad spectrum of substance usage, providing reliable results that professionals and individuals can trust for critical decisions.
The benefits of fast and accurate results are immense.
In Van, TX, adopting hair follicle testing ensures compliance with stringent workplace safety standards.
Hair testing offers employers peace of mind by significantly reducing legal threats associated with non-compliance and illicit substance use within organizations.
The advantages for employers include: