Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The perception of hair testing has shifted towards regarding it as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within its strands. Collected close to the scalp, it can show up to a 3-month history of alcohol and other drug presence. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it facilitates easy transport.
By obtaining a sample of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly comparable to a #2 pencil's girth) closest to the scalp, you acquire 100mg of hair, which is the standard amount for testing and verification. For testing involving EtG, additional requests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. The term 'head hair' applies solely to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core stages in processing a drug test outcome in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. It involves checking that the sample is appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody offers.
Screening provides an initial rapid test for drug abuse presence. It serves as a cost-efficient method to mostly eliminate drug usage detection, but any positive screening needs affirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives identified in Screening mandate follow-up confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives within Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower levels than in alternatives such as urine or oral fluid, underscoring why hair drug screening is highly challenging.
Positive outcomes from screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples indicated as presumptive positives are washed before confirmation when necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Cape Charles, VA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in several key areas. The superior detection ability of hair tests covers a longer timeframe, ensuring greater accuracy and dependability in substance use analysis. Employers appreciate the increased trustworthiness and the impenetrable cheating deterrent of hair follicle testing compared to more conventional urine approaches.
Hair follicle testing in Cape Charles, VA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days for drug use. This prolonged period allows employers to ascertain a comprehensive history of substance use for employees or candidates. It provides in-depth insights beyond what shorter-term methodologies like urine testing can achieve.
Hair follicle testing in Cape Charles, VA, significantly minimizes the possibility of tampering with samples. This method ensures that test results remain reliable and beyond dispute, as it is nearly impossible for individuals to alter the outcomes. The test's structure offers unparalleled resistance to cheating or sample adulteration.
Accessing hair follicle drug testing services in Cape Charles, VA is convenient with our nationwide network of testing centers. Our local facilities make it easy, quick, and hassle-free for individuals and employers to conduct necessary assessments, ensuring all parties can proceed without unnecessary delays.
In Cape Charles, VA, the process for ordering hair follicle tests is straightforward and discreet. Our approach respects privacy while ensuring ease from start to finish. Individuals can effortlessly request, undergo testing, and receive results, reassuring clients that their confidential information remains protected throughout.
Our hair follicle testing in Cape Charles, VA is both cost-effective and timely. With competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, businesses of any size receive excellent value and assurance. Our services provide an unbeatable combination of affordability and quick turnaround, supporting businesses' needs with efficiency and reliability.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Cape Charles, VA are unmatched. Hair testing offers an impressive accuracy rate that can detect substance use efficiently. Offering a swift assessment process ensures that employers receive timely results without compromising on precision, making it a preferred choice for quick and reliable screening.
Employers in Cape Charles, VA, gain confidence in maintaining drug-free policies by employing hair follicle tests. This method reduces legal vulnerabilities and bolsters workplace safety by ensuring that compliance is easy to manage. Hair testing aligns with stringent company standards without compromising integrity or security.
