Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month detection range for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches containing about 200 strands of hair (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary check for drug misuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in court. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.
When a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to perform.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Lignum, VA centers on its unparalleled detection accuracy. By assessing hair samples, a broader range of substances can be identified, offering clear advantages over more conventional urine tests.
In contrast to urine tests, hair follicle tests provide superior reliability, making them the preferred choice for employers keen on upholding strict drug-free policies. Their longer detection time ensures comprehensive evaluations.
The primary appeal of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection window, which can span up to 90 days. This prolonged period allows employers in Lignum, VA, to gain a full picture of substance use history, valuable for assessing potential hires.
For employers, this long-lasting window serves as an effective screening tool, offering insights into past behavior and aiding in the enforcement of company drug policies.
One of the chief advantages of hair follicle testing is its tamper-resistant nature. Collecting samples from the Lignum, VA, area is conducted under observation, vastly reducing the chance of sample manipulation.
This strict collection process provides unquestionable reliability, rendering hair follicle testing an optimal choice in environments where trust in results is critical, like those with zero-tolerance policies.
Accessing drug testing services is hassle-free with our nationwide testing centers, including in Lignum, VA. This convenience ensures timely and straightforward testing processes for all individuals and companies.
Our extensive network guarantees local accessibility, offering reliable and prompt service, eliminating delays faced by businesses and individuals seeking immediate results.
Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes a simple and confidential process in Lignum, VA. Each step of ordering, collecting, and receiving results is designed with user privacy in mind, easing concerns about data protection.
Effortless navigation through our procedures ensures a stress-free experience, with confidentiality at the core of our service delivery, granting clients the peace they deserve.
Competitive pricing defines our approach in Lignum, VA, where affordable rates meet the needs of businesses of varying sizes. Our swift turnaround times enhance value, rendering our services hard to beat.
The combination of cost-effectiveness and rapid results ensures companies can maintain operational efficiency without compromising on their budget or quality standards.
Fast and Accurate Results in Lignum, VA provide a dependable means of screening for substance use. The quick processing time intrinsic to hair follicle tests allows for rapid results, ensuring timely decision-making for employers.
Hair follicle drug tests in Lignum, VA, exemplify reliability and precision, effectively identifying substances with high accuracy. This superior detection capability ensures that no recent use is overlooked, aiding employers in maintaining safety standards.
By choosing hair follicle testing, employers in Lignum, VA, can align with workplace drug-free compliance standards. Adopting these measures minimizes legal risks, providing peace of mind.
This method fosters a safer working environment, as it supports the formation of clear and enforceable drug policies, ensuring consistent expectations are met across all organizational levels.
