Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. The absorbing properties of hair allow it to capture biomarkers within the strands as it grows. If taken near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol or drug consumption over a period of up to 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equal to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp is necessary to obtain 100mg—a suitable amount for both initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is needed. It is advised to use a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, a compatible quantity of body hair can be used. It should be noted that 'head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' denotes all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Framework
The laboratory examination of a drug test sample involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of officially entering a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry that the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.
Screening is an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug use evidence in the bulk of samples, any positive screenings must be verified to stand as valid in legal settings. Samples that test positive in the Screening stage require further confirmation.
Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drug compounds are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug tests.
Confirmation for any positive Screening outcomes is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples yielding presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning through to Confirmation is subject to inspection under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guiding principles and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Challenges:
Caution: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests," these tests precisely analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests in Laymantown, VA, offer several advantages over traditional urine tests. They provide superior detection and reliability, allowing for a more thorough and longer detection period of drug use. With a highly accurate analysis, the likelihood of erroneous results is minimized, setting a higher standard for substance detection.
Utilizing hair follicle testing provides a prolonged detection window, up to 90 days, offering employers in Laymantown, VA, a complete view of an individual’s substance use history. This extended period is beneficial for evaluating consistent patterns of substance use, helping make informed decisions in the workplace context.
In Laymantown, VA, the hair follicle testing method is remarkably resistant to tampering. Its stringent collection and testing process makes the results nearly impossible to alter, ensuring that the outcomes are credible and can be fully trusted by all parties involved in the testing protocol.
Offering convenient testing solutions, our Laymantown, VA centers are part of a vast network of nationwide locations. This ensures quick, accessible, and straightforward testing experiences. Easy access to testing services facilitates regulatory compliance and enhances overall testing efficiency.
With a straightforward and confidential testing process in Laymantown, VA, individuals can order and take tests simply, with complete privacy. From test ordering to result retrieval, every step is designed for ease of use and comfort, ensuring the protection of personal information.
In Laymantown, VA, we pride ourselves on providing fast turnaround times and affordable test pricing. Our competitive pricing structure ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes while delivering prompt and reliable results, supporting swift decision-making processes in corporate environments.
The hair follicle drug test in Laymantown, VA stands out for its swift, precise, and dependable results. This method ensures a high level of accuracy in detecting substance use. The results, with a detailed analysis, provide valuable insights, aiding both personal and professional decision-making processes.
Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies and provides peace of mind for employers in Laymantown, VA. Adopting this method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, fostering a secure and regulated environment for both employers and employees alike.
