Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Through hair testing, a substantial method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption has emerged. Hair strands, as they grow, secure biomarkers within the fibers providing a comprehensive long-term record of substance use. Gathering hair close to the scalp offers an estimated up to three-month timeframe for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 strands, equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness, closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, besides tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If head hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be used instead. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. All other hair types, including facial and axillary, fall under the category of body hair.
Process Overview
Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation are the four critical steps in the lab procedure for processing drug test outcomes.
The procedure of Accessioning entails incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. Tasks include affirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any additional data entering not previously supplied by an electronic system.
Screening is an initial rapid analysis for drug presence. Though Screening is cost-efficient for negating drug presence in most samples, a positive result must receive verification to be legitimate in legal settings. Samples with a presumptively positive Screening result need secondary Confirmation.
For any presumptively positive Screening outcomes, further hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lesser concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complex nature of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive Screening results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Preceding confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the underneath scalp follicle.
Why does hair testing outperform urine tests in Floyd, VA? For one, hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy and reliability in detecting drug use over a longer term. While traditional urine tests detect recent drug use, hair analysis reflects a wider window, which can offer a more comprehensive view of an individual’s drug consumption pattern. This advantage gives employers a greater assurance of workers’ compliance with drug-free policies.
Hair follicle testing in Floyd, VA, significantly prolongs the detection window for drug use, covering a period of up to 90 days. This advantage provides employers an extensive overview of an employee or applicant's substance usage patterns. With its extended detection timeline, it offers invaluable insights into one’s history, making it a key asset for those enforcing strict company policies.
In Floyd, VA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant drug testing method. This significantly decreases the potential for sample adulteration. Hair tests result in reliable, unquestionable findings that aid organizations and legal authorities to make informed decisions regarding substance use, ensuring a degree of integrity and authenticity unmatched by traditional methods.
The convenience of our nationwide testing facilities, including local sites in Floyd, VA, ensures that you receive swift and hassle-free access to our services. This robust network allows for rapid and easy testing procedures that meet the demands of modern-day requirements with ease.
In Floyd, VA, the hair follicle testing process is known for being simple and confidential. Ordering a test, taking it, and receiving results are all seamlessly handled, addressing any privacy concerns one might have. This simplicity extends to how easy it is to use our services, ensuring peace of mind.
Our competitive pricing structure in Floyd, VA, ensures that businesses of every size enjoy great value with our hair follicle testing. With affordable rates and rapid result processing, companies can ensure timely and effective testing that doesn’t break the bank, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly.
In Floyd, VA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast and reliable results. These tests are performed with remarkable precision, allowing substances to be detected accurately. This high level of accuracy ensures that any substance use is identified with confidence, providing management and legal authorities the assurance they need when assessing drug use.
Employers in Floyd, VA, benefit significantly from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Utilizing these tests not only reduces legal risks but also bolsters workplace safety. Employers can rest easy knowing that they’re adhering to regulations whilst maintaining a secure and productive working environment.
