Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective mechanism for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When collected from near the scalp, hair may offer a detection span of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding ten panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary integration of a specimen into a lab’s process. This step checks that the specimen was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial quick assessment for drug presence. While Screening offers an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive reading requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening demand additional validation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, substances are removed from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most intricate to conduct.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive specimen undergoes washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Providence Forge, VA, surpasses traditional urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Extended detection window gives employers an edge in maintaining a drug-free workplace by providing a broader look at drug use history. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests are resilient to tampering, ensuring more trustworthy results.
In Providence Forge, VA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that can trace drug use up to 90 days, surpassing the capacity of urine tests. This lengthy detection period equips businesses with a comprehensive understanding of a candidate or employee's drug history, enabling better-informed employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Providence Forge, VA, is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature. It significantly decreases the chance of sample adulteration, providing results that are unassailable. This reliable method ensures results carry authenticity, offering employers confidence in upholding workplace standards.
Our numerous nationwide testing locations, including those in Providence Forge, VA, deliver convenient and hassle-free testing services. With accessible centers across cities, scheduling a hair follicle test is straightforward, ensuring that local and national clients benefit from our reliable services.
Clients in Providence Forge, VA, can be assured of a simple, confidential process when engaging in hair follicle testing. Our streamlined approach to ordering, conducting, and receiving results respects client privacy at every step, ensuring ease of use and access to essential testing information.
Providence Forge, VA, benefits from our competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests. Affordable rates combined with quick result processing provide excellent value, supporting businesses of all sizes in maintaining a drug-free environment efficiently and cost-effectively.
The hair follicle drug tests in Providence Forge, VA, guarantee swift, precise, and reliable outcomes. Hair testing's accuracy is unmatched, due to its ability to identify trace substances nestled within the hair shaft. The promptness of these results ensures that any concerns regarding drug use are efficiently addressed, allowing for timely decisions based on the findings.
Employing hair follicle testing in Providence Forge, VA, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. It supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal repercussions and reinforcing occupational safety. This compliance serves as a safeguard for both employer and employee interests.
