Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, extra tests, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We advise measuring the specimen using a precision scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referencing scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in the lab handling of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial input of a sample into a lab's system. This process verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input not available through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in many samples, a positive screen must be verified for legal acceptance. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need a secondary validation.
If a sample is potentially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lesser concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
Verification of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though extensively referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair tests with traditional urine analysis in Henry, VA, hair follicle testing emerges superior. Its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability outweigh common scrutiny, providing a robust measure against drug misuse.
Hair follicle testing in Henry, VA, offers a prolonged detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. Employers benefit from this comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's substance history, allowing informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests implemented in Henry, VA, significantly reduce adulteration risks. The methodology ensures secure, tamper-resistant processes providing results that are both dependable and unquestionable.
Our testing service in Henry, VA, benefits from conveniently positioned national centers, simplifying the process. These strategic locations offer quick access, simplifying drug testing procedures with ultimate ease.
The process in Henry, VA, for hair testing is straightforward and private. Ordering, conducting, and retrieving results is seamless, catering to concerns of privacy while ensuring ease of use.
In Henry, VA, competitive pricing merged with rapid turnaround creates an appealing proposition. Businesses of all scales benefit from economical solutions without compromising on speed or peace of mind.
The swift nature of hair follicle drug tests in Henry, VA, offers unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use. Hair testing not only produces fast results but stands out for its exceptional precision in identifying drug use, ensuring reliable outcomes.
In Henry, VA, adopting hair testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety. Employers gain a seamless peace of mind, secure in their adherence to policy and safety principles.
