Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assays have gained recognition as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The follicles offer a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the expanding hair strand. When procured near the scalp, hair can extend up to roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for examination and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It is suggested to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When addressing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process in the lab for a drug test outcome comprises four critical phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s framework. This entails verifying the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage for the majority of samples, any positive screen demands confirmation for court admissibility. All samples that are judged presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.
Should a sample be assessed as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is gathered from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at a substantially lower concentration than through other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), signifying hair drug screening as the most challenging method to conduct.
Validation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed to be positive undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing in Manakin, VA, are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, effectively identifying substance use over longer periods. This reliability makes it a preferred method compared to traditional urine tests.
For employers in Manakin, VA, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This offers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history, surpassing the capabilities of other testing methods.
Hair follicle testing in Manakin, VA, is a tamper-resistant method that significantly diminishes the chance of sample adulteration. This ensures that results are both reliable and indisputable, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders.
Manakin, VA, residents can enjoy convenient access to testing services, thanks to nationwide testing locations. Our centers offer quick, seamless testing processes, ensuring no hassle regardless of where you are.
In Manakin, VA, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, confidentiality is maintained at every step, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.
Accredited Drug Testing in Manakin, VA, impresses with its affordable pricing and rapid turnaround. These benefits offer excellent value for businesses of varying sizes, guaranteeing peace of mind with every test.
In Manakin, VA, hair follicle drug testing stands out with its fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method ensures high precision in detecting substance use, making it a preferred choice for those who prioritize accuracy in their testing protocols.
Employers seeking compliance with drug-free policies in Manakin, VA, benefit immensely from hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to regulations, decreases legal risks, and enhances overall workplace safety, providing peace of mind.
