Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing is now recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use due to the entrapment of biomarkers within the growing strand. If gathered near the scalp, hair can provide approximately a three-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, collecting an equivalent amount of body hair is an option. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary phases in the laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial step of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system. It involves verifying that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might lack.
The Screening phase serves as a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. While cost-effective in ruling out drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any specimens that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as appropriate. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and holds accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests brings distinct advantages in Remington, VA. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, covering up to 90 days of use, far outlasting the detection window of urine tests. This method is favored by employers due to its reliability and the comprehensive insights it provides into an individual's substance habits, ensuring that nothing escapes unnoticed.
Hair follicle testing in Remington, VA, sets the standard for substance history evaluation by covering a 90-day window. This extended period allows employers to see a more complete picture of an applicant's or employee's drug use, offering insights beyond recent usage. With this comprehensive view, employers make informed decisions, bolstering their workplace environments with individuals who align with their values.
The robust nature of hair follicle testing in Remington, VA, minimizes risks associated with sample tampering, providing results that stand up to scrutiny. By using this testing method, employers and professionals gain peace of mind, knowing the outcomes are genuine and untainted. This integrity is essential when making critical decisions impacting workplace safety and compliance with drug policy regulations.
With nationwide and local facilities in Remington, VA, we provide unmatched convenience for hair follicle testing. Our extensive network ensures accessibility, enabling quick and hassle-free services. Whether you're located in Remington or any other city, our testing centers guarantee efficient handling of your testing needs, making the process smooth and straightforward for all involved.
Our hair follicle testing in Remington, VA, prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, offering a seamless experience from ordering to receiving results. Concerns about privacy are fully addressed, ensuring a transparent process that respects individual confidentiality. This straightforward approach makes it easier for everyone, upholding the highest standards of discretion and professionalism in testing services.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Remington, VA, deliver excellent value. By providing affordable options without seeing quality, companies of all sizes benefit from fast, accurate results. This combination of cost-effectiveness and reliability helps businesses maintain their drug-free policies efficiently while managing expenses prudently.
Precision and reliability are at the heart of hair follicle drug testing in Remington, VA, offering unmatched accuracy in detecting substances. The meticulous nature of this method ensures results you can trust, making it the go-to option for employers and professionals seeking dependable outcomes. With hair testing, you receive quick outcomes that don't compromise on quality, bringing clarity to someone's substance use history.
In Remington, VA, hair follicle testing offers employers a guarantee of compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks by ensuring accurate, reliable results, enhancing workplace safety. Peace of mind comes from knowing that employees have been thoroughly screened, creating a safe and rule-abiding work environment. This compliance helps maintain company ethics and standards.
