Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a significant resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and different substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is easy, moderately tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (similar to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We propose weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent mass of body hair can be gathered. By 'head hair,' we mean solely scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any leftover data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial swift test for drug misuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be permissible in legal contexts. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample appears presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to implement.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly described as "hair follicle tests", the process examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Big Water, UT is a superior alternative to urine testing, offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a broader overview of substance use.
Employers in Big Water, UT benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests, up to 90 days, providing a complete view of an employee's substance use history.
Hair follicle testing is recognized in Big Water, UT for its tamper-resistant nature, reducing the risk of sample adulteration significantly.
Big Water, UT benefits from the convenience of nationwide testing centers, offering quick and hassle-free access to services.
The process in Big Water, UT is simple and confidential, ensuring ease and privacy from order to results.
Hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Big Water, UT, delivering excellent value for businesses.
In Big Water, UT, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their exceptional precision and swift processing. These tests provide highly accurate detection of substance use, ensuring reliability for employers.
In Big Water, UT, the adoption of hair follicle testing helps employers achieve compliance with workplace drug policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal risks.
