Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of incrementally growing hair. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can reveal substance usage data from up to a 3-month duration. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Extracting a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, considered the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, supplementary testing, or panels exceeding 10, it's advisable to obtain 150mg. The specimen should ideally be measured on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. Scalp hair refers specifically to hair from the head, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The core stages in the lab analysis for a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where a specimen is first logged into a lab's system. This phase includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and recording any additional details not captured by an electronic chain of custody platform.
Screening is a preliminary, cost-effective method of assessing drug use within most samples. However, for legal admissibility, positive results from this stage require further confirmation. Samples that test positively in Screening necessitate independent verification.
For samples that test positive in Screening, additional hair is separated from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is notably challenging.
Confirmation of any positive results is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The test commonly known as a "hair follicle test" examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in accuracy and reliability in Manti, UT. While urine tests are more traditional, hair analysis offers superior detection across a more extended period.
In Manti, UT, hair follicle testing's extended detection window provides up to 90 days of drug use insight. This long-term view is invaluable for employers assessing employee history.
Hair follicle tests in Manti, UT, significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering. This tamper-resistant method ensures trustworthy and unquestionable test outcomes.
In Manti, UT, and across the nation, our convenient testing centers offer a hassle-free experience. Quick and easy access to our services ensures testing is seamless.
In Manti, UT, our straightforward and confidential testing process simplifies ordering and receiving results, ensuring privacy and ease.
With affordable pricing and rapid turnaround in Manti, UT, our services offer excellent value, supporting companies of all sizes with peace of mind.
The fast, accurate, and reliable results achieved through hair follicle testing make it a definitive choice in Manti, UT. Compared to traditional methods, it offers superior accuracy in detecting substance use.
Employers in Manti, UT can rely on hair follicle testing to remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and ensuring a safe work environment.