Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair sample testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the growing strands. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and narcotics. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Four primary stages are involved in processing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial input of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process includes validating the sample's sealed and shipped status, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment to identify substance abuse. While it is a cost-effective method for eliminating drug use for most samples, any positive findings necessitate confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples indicating a presumptive positive during Screening require a further confirmation test.
If a sample indicates a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Clifton, VA, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. It boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Employers who implement hair testing benefit from its ability to detect a broader range of substances with greater precision.
Hair tests outperform urine tests by identifying substance use over extended periods, preventing potential evasion.
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing in Clifton, VA is its extended detection window.
Unlike traditional methods, hair tests provide insights into substance use over a 90-day period, offering employers a thorough view.
This longer detection span is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance history.
In Clifton, VA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures reliable outcomes.
The possibility of sample adulteration is minimal with hair tests, offering unquestionable results.
Employers can trust results that stand up against attempts of manipulation, setting an industry benchmark for testing integrity.
Accessing drug testing services is straightforward in Clifton, VA, thanks to our nationwide testing network.
Our conveniently located centers guarantee quick and hassle-free testing procedures.
Clifton residents enjoy seamless testing experiences with easy access to our local facilities.
At our Clifton, VA locations, the process of drug testing is both simple and confidential.
We ensure ease of ordering, taking, and receiving results, prioritizing your privacy concerns.
This straightforward approach guarantees a user-friendly experience without compromising confidentiality.
Clifton, VA businesses benefit from our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in drug testing.
Our efficient services offer excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes receive timely results.
By combining affordability with prompt outcomes, we provide peace of mind for local organizations.
The precision of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched in Clifton, VA. Their ability to provide fast, accurate results sets a new standard in substance detection.
Recognized for their high reliability, these tests ensure quick results with high detection accuracy, making them the preferred choice in modern drug screening.
Clifton residents benefit from reliable and swift testing processes that deliver confident results without delay.
Hair follicle testing in Clifton, VA provides employers with compliance and peace of mind.
Adopting this method helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks.
Employers enhance safety and reduce liabilities by integrating hair testing in their drug screening processes.
