Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations have emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair strand. When procured adjacent to the scalp, hair can detect substances for up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is easy, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximate thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for evaluations and validations. For EtG, additional tests, or any test exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, equivalent body hair may be gathered. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial procedure of processing a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data entries absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary evaluation for illicit substances. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug usage for most samples, any positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples with a positive presumption in Screening necessitate confirmation.
When a sample shows positive results at the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the sample and set aside for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing reigns superior over traditional urine tests with its robust detection accuracy and reliability in Boston, VA. These tests provide employers with a complete picture of substance use, surpassing urine tests' limitations.
The enhanced accuracy of hair testing significantly reduces false negatives, ensuring that drug policies are strictly adhered to without compromises on quality and trustworthiness.
Hair follicle tests in Boston, VA, offer an extended detection window of up to 90 days, allowing a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history over the past three months.
This broad detection period provides a vital tool for employers to assess ongoing substance use, making hair testing an invaluable asset in sound decision-making processes for employment.
Hair follicle testing's tamper-resistant nature greatly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, guaranteeing reliable and unaltered results for Boston, VA-based clients.
The testing process ensures the integrity of samples, providing peace of mind to employers with results that are trustworthy and free from manipulation attempts.
With convenient testing centers across Boston, VA, and nationwide, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is quick and hassle-free.
Our extensive network ensures that clients enjoy easy access without delays, making the process smoother and more efficient than ever before.
In Boston, VA, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential, ensuring clients feel secure and their privacy is respected throughout.
From ordering to receiving results, users benefit from a streamlined and worry-free process, highlighting both privacy and ease of use as top priorities.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Boston, VA presents excellent value, suiting companies of all sizes.
Our affordable options ensure that organizations can uphold their drug policies without incurring excessive costs, complemented by swift results delivery to aid decision-making.
In Boston, VA, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed, ensuring highly accurate detection of substance use. The method provides fast results, enabling quick decision-making for employers.
Hair testing's high accuracy rate and efficiency make it the preferred method for detecting various substances, setting a strong standard for drug screening processes across all sectors.
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps Boston, VA employers ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and boosting a safe working environment.
By adhering to these testing protocols, employers enjoy peace of mind knowing their workforce remains compliant, legally protected, and secure from potential substance-related incidents.
