Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol intake. Through capturing biomarkers within the growing hair shaft fibers, hair can reveal extended-term substance usage. When collected proximate to the scalp, it offers a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair samples are easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to ship.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for both screening and confirming tests. For EtG, add-on screenings, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an alternative. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for drug test result processing encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This stage ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any extra data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drug substances. Despite being a cost-efficient method to exclude substance presence in the majority of samples, detected positives require confirmation for legal validation. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening demand additional confirmation.
If a Screening yields a presumptive positive, extra hair is extracted from the main specimen for the Extraction phase. This stage extracts drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing a challenging task.
Confirmation of any Screening positives is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Any presumptive positives are washed if necessary before confirmation. The whole lab process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation targets the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.
Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Broadford, VA? Hair testing boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering a wide coverage time compared to the limited window of urine tests. Not only does this method identify a more extensive drug usage history, but it also provides a less invasive and more consistent evaluation, making it ideal for long-term monitoring.
Employers in Broadford, VA benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection period, which captures drug use spanning up to 90 days. Unlike shorter-period tests, hair samples provide employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance interaction, allowing for well-rounded decisions during hiring or ongoing assessments of current employees.
Hair follicle tests in Broadford, VA offer a robust defense against sample tampering. By reducing the risk of manipulation, hair tests deliver accurate and verifiable results. It offers a simple yet highly reliable testing solution, ensuring that the data derived remains intact and indisputable, addressing concerns of sample integrity that affect other methods.
Convenience is key in Broadford, VA, with our hair testing services available nationwide and locally. Our accessible locations make testing services quick and hassle-free, ensuring that clients can effortlessly obtain testing solutions without facing logistical hurdles. The broad network of centers guarantees seamless access no matter where testing is required.
In Broadford, VA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure addresses privacy concerns while maintaining ease for the user. Each step is structured to maximize efficiency, ensuring that test-takers feel secure throughout the process and receive results discreetly.
Broadford, VA businesses benefit from our affordable pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle tests. Our competitive pricing ensures that companies of all sizes can access high-quality testing without financial strain. Fast results further enhance value, offering peace of mind and supporting firms in maintaining operational integrity.
In Broadford, VA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast, precise, and reliable outcomes. The test's speed and accuracy make it an appealing option for identifying substance use. While traditional tests can miss or overlook recent usage, hair tests offer comprehensive detection across various substances, ensuring that individuals and employers receive dependable and prompt results.
In Broadford, VA, by leveraging hair follicle testing, employers significantly improve compliance with drug-free policies. This method not only lowers legal vulnerabilities but also enhances workplace safety. Hair tests provide assurance and peace, ensuring that hiring standards align with organizational goals of maintaining a healthy and safe working environment.
