Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an exceptional method for assessing drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures long-term information regarding alcohol and other substances by entrapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection range for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is uncomplicated, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hairs (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This incorporates validating the correct sealing and dispatch of the sample, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody procedure.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be viable in court. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positivity during Screening, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is considered the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand and not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
In McDowell, VA, hair follicle testing offers substantial benefits over conventional urine testing methods. Hair tests provide a longer detection window and are far more challenging to tamper with. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle assessments review drug use patterns over extended periods, making them ideal for ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
The extended detection window is a critical advantage of hair follicle testing in McDowell, VA. Hair tests trace drug use for up to 90 days, giving employers a more comprehensive overview of an employee's or applicant's substance history. This long-term detection capability allows for more informed hiring and management decisions.
Hair follicle tests greatly reduce the risk of tampering, providing reliable and consistent results. In McDowell, VA, the stringent testing procedures ensure samples remain untampered – offering employers peace of mind that the outcomes are both accurate and trustworthy.
McDowell, VA residents benefit from conveniently located nationwide testing centers. With numerous facilities available across the country, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and straightforward. This convenience ensures reliable support wherever it's needed.
In McDowell, VA, the process for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are conducted with ease and privacy in mind, relieving any concerns regarding the confidentiality of the participants.
We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing in McDowell, VA. This ensures affordability and exceptional value, catering to companies of all sizes. Our fast service means businesses can operate smoothly without long waits for testing outcomes.
Fast, accurate, and reliable results are essential in McDowell, VA. Hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their precision in detecting substance use. The testing process quickly delivers dependable results, allowing employers to have confidence in the substance use history of their staff. This ensures optimal workplace safety and compliance.
Employers in McDowell, VA, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing by ensuring drug-free workplace compliance. This method reduces legal liabilities and enhances safety. By choosing hair testing, organizations confidently adhere to policies and maintain staff well-being.
