Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol usage. This method uses hair to provide a comprehensive record of substance consumption by capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of around three months for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to procure, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness), yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional services, and/or analyses over 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale is advisable for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair might be used. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing drug test results in a lab comprises four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not already transmitted through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Samples that test as presumptive positives during Screening must undergo additional verification.
When a sample is deemed presumptively positive in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the existing specimen and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other testing procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most complex methodology to implement.
Confirmation for any positive results from Screening is carried out through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation as required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Belspring, VA, provides significant advantages over urine tests. Their superior detection window and nearly impossible alteration make them ideal for those enforcing strict drug-free policies.
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests effectively capture a broader substance use history, offering unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. This makes them essential for zero-tolerance settings where comprehensive assessments are crucial.
The ability of hair follicle tests in Belspring, VA, to detect drug use over 90 days is unmatched. This extensive window allows employers to gain a detailed view of an individual's substance habits.
By utilizing this testing method, businesses can make informed decisions based on a broader historical perspective, ensuring better hiring and retention outcomes while upholding company standards.
Hair follicle tests in Belspring, VA, are inherently tamper-resistant, reducing the possibility of adulterated samples. This assures employers and legal entities of the authenticity of test outcomes.
The secure collection of samples minimizes manipulation, providing unparalleled certainty for stakeholders in maintaining drug-free environments.
Accredited Drug Testing facilitates convenience in Belspring, VA, with testing centers across the nation, simplifying access to necessary services.
Local centers enhance accessibility, allowing for hassle-free testing processes that fit into busy schedules, eliminating travel barriers and streamlining drug testing operations.
Our testing process in Belspring, VA, is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring customer comfort throughout.
From ordering to test-taking and result retrieval, every stage is designed to maintain discretion and ease, assuring participants of their peace of mind and security.
We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround in Belspring, VA, ensuring exceptional value. Our cost-effective solutions cater to businesses of any size.
Fast reporting and budget-friendly options deliver dependable results, providing businesses with efficiency and financial assurance in their drug testing endeavors.
The efficacy of hair follicle drug tests in Belspring, VA, is second to none, offering quick and robust results. These tests are designed to accurately identify substance use, ensuring a high level of credibility in the results obtained.
Speed in reporting is another significant advantage of hair testing, which delivers results faster than some traditional methods. In Belspring, employers and individuals can rely on these tests for timely and dependable substance use detection, streamlining decision-making processes.
Employers in Belspring, VA, benefit from the compliance assurance hair follicle testing offers. It mitigates legal risks and bolsters workplace safety by enforcing drug-free policies effectively.
Such testing provides peace of mind, ensuring obligations are met and helping maintain a secure working environment free from the disruptions caused by substance misuse.
