Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination is now recognized as an influential method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can demonstrate up to about a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, slightly hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A segment of 1.5-inch comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal size for analysis and validation. For EtG, supplementary checks, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is advised. We suggest measuring the hair on a jeweler's scale. If head hair is inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be taken. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s framework. This comprises confirming that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input not offered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage for the majority of cases, a positive screen must be verified to be permissible in court. Any cases that preliminarily indicate positive results during Screening necessitate a secondary Confirmation.
Should a sample preliminarily show positive in the Screening phase, more hair is sourced from the primary sample to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at markedly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with provisional positive results are washed before Confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Vandyke, TX, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests with its longer detection periods and superior accuracy.
Compared to urine tests, hair testing is less prone to manipulation, providing more reliable results.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Vandyke, TX captures up to 90 days of an individual's drug usage, offering employers thorough insight.
This long-term view enables better-informed hiring decisions and continuous oversight of employee health.
Secure and tamper-resistant hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the likelihood of falsified results in Vandyke, TX.
The difficulty in altering or contaminating hair samples means test outcomes remain unquestionable and valid.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures nationwide convenience, including local availability in Vandyke, TX, simplifying access to testing services.
This extensive network facilitates quick and easy testing without logistical hassles.
The hair testing process in Vandyke, TX is noted for its simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring privacy is well-guarded.
Steps from ordering to receiving results are streamlined, making the experience stress-free for individuals and employers.
Affordable hair follicle testing in Vandyke, TX delivers competitive pricing and swift results, perfect for businesses seeking value.
Fast turnaround times ensure that companies, regardless of size, enjoy both efficiency and the assurance of accurate substance use detection.
Vandyke, TX benefits from the efficient hair follicle drug testing process that promises both fast and accurate results. This method excels in pinpointing substance use swiftly.
The exceptional accuracy of hair tests makes them preferable for detecting a range of substances across significant periods.
Employers in Vandyke, TX achieve peace of mind and compliance with drug-free policies by implementing hair follicle testing.
This method minimizes the risk of workplace incidents and aligns with legal standards efficiently.
