Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of substances like drugs and alcohol. This method provides an extended history by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, it can offer a detection timeframe of up to three months for substances. The process of hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
An ideal hair sample is a 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hair strands, comparable in size to a #2 pencil, and weighing 100mg. This amount is suitable for screening and confirmation purposes. For tests like EtG, additional testing, or more than 10-panel assessments, a sample of 150mg is preferred. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types (e.g., facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The lab processing for drug testing consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing to be entered into the lab system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any pending data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial, cost-effective assessment for substances. While efficient for excluding drug use in many samples, a positive screen must be validated for judicial acceptability. Any sample flagged as positive requires subsequent verification.
For presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine), making hair drug screening a complex procedure.
Confirmation for any positive screen is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positive results undergo cleansing prior to confirmation, as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Oakpark, VA, surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. The detailed analysis provided by hair tests makes them a top choice for those looking for certainty in testing results. Compared to urine tests, hair tests offer a more comprehensive detection window, making them ideal for discerning employers.
One of the primary advantages of hair follicle testing in Oakpark, VA is its extended detection window. Where urine tests cover a brief period, hair tests can analyze substance use over the past 90 days. This provides employers with thorough insights into an individual's long-term use, crucial for informed employment decisions.
In Oakpark, VA, hair follicle tests are a robust method against tampering, ensuring the integrity of the results. Unlike other tests, hair samples are hard to adulterate, providing honest and credible results. This makes hair testing a trusted option for many institutions requiring definitive and reliable testing procedures.
Offering convenience throughout Oakpark, VA, our testing services are accessible via numerous nationwide centers. This ensures that anyone needing testing can easily find a location nearby, eliminating the hassle and time typically associated with drug testing. Comprehensive coverage ensures you can get tested at a site that's both quick and easy to access.
In Oakpark, VA, hair follicle testing is designed to be both simple and confidential, putting users at ease throughout the process. From booking an appointment to receiving results, privacy and ease are prioritized. Clients can feel assured that their information is secure, and the testing experience is straightforward, minimizing stress for all involved.
Our hair follicle testing services in Oakpark, VA, boast competitive pricing with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for businesses of all sizes. The cost-effective structure allows companies to maintain budgets without sacrificing quality. Quick results mean businesses can rely on timely data for their decision-making processes.
The hair follicle drug tests in Oakpark, VA are renowned for their quick, accurate, and reliable results. They offer outstanding precision in identifying drug use, significantly surpassing other testing methods. The streamlined approach ensures fast analysis, delivering trusted outcomes in a timely manner to meet the needs of busy professionals.
Hair tests ensure users have results that are both swift and trustworthy.
For employers in Oakpark, VA, hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. By implementing such robust testing measures, businesses can ensure peace of mind and a safer, more compliant work environment, protecting both the company and its employees.
This approach fosters a culture of responsibility and safety.
