Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. It can provide a detailed record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 3 months for identifying both alcohol and drug use. The collection process is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG assessments, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The primary stages of laboratory drug testing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is entered into a lab’s system. This phase confirms that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary and rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most cases, a confirmed positive is essential for legal admissibility. Samples with a preliminary positive require further confirmation.
For samples with a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This stage isolates drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), presenting a unique challenge in hair drug screening.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed for confirmation of any positive screening outcome. Before confirmation, samples identified as presumptive positives are washed when necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over the traditional urine test in Alta, UT? Simply put, hair testing surpasses in both detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair examinations reveal a longer history of substance use, allowing employers a more comprehensive perspective, thus securing a more drug-free workplace environment effectively.
Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, up to 90 days in Alta, UT. This long analysis period offers employers a thorough insight into an individual's drug use patterns, significantly more than shorter-term urine tests can provide. It helps assess the reliability and safety of potential hires or existing employees over time.
One of the most robust testing safeguards in Alta, UT is the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. By minimizing sample adulteration risks, this method delivers trustworthy and irrefutable results, crucial for maintaining the integrity of workplace drug testing policies and ensuring compliance with stringent standards.
Our expansive network of testing sites, including local facilities in Alta, UT, ensures convenience for all clients. The widespread availability emphasizes a hassle-free experience, offering seamless access to hair follicle testing services anytime, anywhere, ensuring an efficient and smooth process from start to finish.
The hair follicle testing process in Alta, UT, is designed to be simple and confidential. From order placement to result receipt, every step is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns effectively. This ease of use ensures client reassurance and maintains confidentiality throughout the entire drug testing journey.
Alta, UT businesses benefit from competitive pricing models and quick result turnaround in hair follicle testing. These benefits provide great value without compromising quality, offering companies of any size the peace of mind they seek when investing in reliable and timely substance testing solutions.
In Alta, UT, hair follicle drug testing stands out for providing rapid, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method excels in precision, offering a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use. Not only is it swift, but it also ensures the confidence stakeholders need in substance detection without fail, thanks to stringent testing protocols.
In Alta, UT, implementing hair follicle testing assists employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposure while optimizing safety. This mitigation of risks elevates workplace standards, providing employers with peace of mind and enhancing team well-being through dependable substance testing.
