Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers within their fibers, offering a long-term timeline of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair can detect substances like alcohol and drugs for up to around three months. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg, optimal for initial screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is preferred. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is advised to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be obtained. When discussing head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal stages in laboratory analysis of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary intake of a sample into a lab’s framework, ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering supplementary data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid analysis for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for judicial acceptance. Presumptively positive samples in Screening need further confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening findings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Harborton, VA. Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests through superior detection reliability, excelling in long-term drug use tracking. Hair samples provide a more durable record of substance utilization, outmatching urine tests in accuracy and invulnerability to tampering.
Extended Detection Window in Harborton, VA Hair follicle testing shines with its remarkable 90-day detection span, allowing employers a detailed inspection of substance use history. Such extensive evaluation aids in making informed decisions about potential hires or current employees based on the comprehensive data provided by these tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Harborton, VA Hair follicle tests serve as a robust method against sample adulteration. The sample collection is supervised, virtually eliminating contamination or tampering risks. This security ensures that results are both reliable and definitive, strengthening trust in the testing process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Harborton, VA We offer a network of testing facilities nationwide for easy access to hair follicle tests. These centers ensure quick and uncomplicated testing experiences, combining convenience with thorough service both locally and beyond.
Simple, Confidential Process in Harborton, VA The hair follicle testing procedure is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, the experience prioritizes privacy, addressing confidentiality concerns and simplifying the overall experience for users at every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Harborton, VA Our competitive pricing models paired with rapid processing times make hair follicle tests accessible and efficient. This approach guarantees remarkable value, offering peace of mind that accommodates businesses of various sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Harborton, VA. Hair follicle drug tests offer precision in substance detection, valued for their accuracy in revealing substance use with speed and reliability. These tests, designed to deliver quick outcomes, are trusted by many for swift and error-free results, ensuring peace of mind for employers.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Harborton, VA Hair follicle testing is instrumental in upholding workplace drug-free mandates, reducing legal complications and fostering a safe work environment. Employers find assurance and compliance in adopting these tests, ensuring regulatory adherence and safety standards.