Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the expanding hair fibers. Gathering hair near the scalp allows for an approximate 3-month period in which alcohol and other drugs can be unveiled. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A length of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, which is deemed optimal for testing and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a commensurate volume of body hair can be gathered. Referring specifically to head hair means scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The key stages in processing a drug test result in a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails introducing a sample into the laboratory system, which involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing other required manual data entries if not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for substance use. While it's a cost-efficient way to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive finding needs affirmation before any legal admissibility. Presumptive positive samples in the Screening phase require further confirmation.
Should Screening indicate potential positivity, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. In this segment, drugs are meticulously extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or saliva), rendering hair testing more challenging.
Confirmation for any positive outcome in Screening utilizes techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination pertains to the hair shaft, excluding the follicle under the scalp.
In Morrisville, VA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine analysis due to superior detection and reliability. These tests provide a broader detection window, allowing for a thorough review of an individual's drug history.
Hair follicle analysis in Morrisville, VA, extends detection periods substantially, allowing for drug history visibility up to 90 days. This broadens the substance use profile for employers reviewing potential hires or current employees.
The hair follicle method utilized in Morrisville, VA, is tamper-resistant, effectively minimizing sample adulteration risks. This assures results remain reliable and beyond dispute.
Our extensive network, including Morrisville, VA, provides convenient drug testing access nationwide, ensuring a swift and effortless testing experience for individuals and businesses.
The hair follicle testing process in Morrisville, VA, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while providing an easy approach to arrange, conduct, and receive test results.
Businesses in Morrisville, VA, benefit from our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, which ensures excellent value and operational efficiency when it comes to drug testing needs.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug assessments make them invaluable in Morrisville, VA. These tests deliver accurate results that swiftly confirm substance use, offering employers reliable insights.
Employers in Morrisville, VA, experience peace of mind by adopting hair follicle testing, as it complies with drug-free workplace standards, cutting down on legal risks and enhancing safety at work.