Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. By capturing biomarkers in the fibers of growing hair strands, hair offers a long-term history of substance intake. A sample taken close to the scalp can reflect usage within a roughly 3-month timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield around 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically references scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of the sample into a lab’s system. This involves ensuring the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient approach to negate drug use in most samples, positive results require confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Any presumptively positive screenings necessitate secondary confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage, where drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than in methodologies like urine or oral fluid testing, rendering hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Positive screening confirmations utilize GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing in Shawnee Land, VA. With a longer detection window, hair tests can reveal substance use up to 90 days prior, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history. In contrast, urine tests often only reflect recent drug use, potentially missing patterns of long-term substance abuse.
The reliability and accuracy of hair testing surpass urine testing, reducing false negatives. Employers benefit from this enhanced detection capability, ensuring safer workplaces through more stringent and effective screening processes.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a distinct advantage for Shawnee Land, VA employers. These tests can identify drug use up to 90 days past, offering a thorough view into an individual’s substance use patterns. This extended period ensures a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s history.
Employers appreciate this capacity as it aids in making well-informed hiring decisions, creating a safer and more productive work environment. Continuous monitoring becomes feasible with hair testing’s extensive detection scope.
Hair follicle tests in Shawnee Land, VA significantly curb the risk of sample adulteration. By requiring a direct sample cut from the body, these tests become highly resistant to tampering, unlike urine tests which can be manipulated. This robust method ensures the integrity and reliability of results.
Employers find hair testing invaluable in maintaining trust in drug testing processes, as the method avoids fraudulent sample swapping or adulteration, leading to more genuine and dependable outcomes.
Accessing testing services in Shawnee Land, VA is straightforward with our vast network of nationwide testing centers. This ensures quick, convenient, and hassle-free access for all testing needs, aiding individuals and businesses alike.
The availability of local facilities means reduced travel time and increased accessibility, helping employers and individuals to maintain compliance and ensure timely testing without logistical hurdles.
The process of undergoing hair follicle testing in Shawnee Land, VA is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step respects privacy, making it easy for clients to use the service without concern.
This streamlined approach ensures that individuals or companies not only receive their results quickly but also feel confident in the security of their personal information throughout the testing process.
In Shawnee Land, VA, we offer competitively priced hair follicle testing services with quick turnaround times. This affordability does not compromise the quality or speed of our results, ensuring excellent value for companies of every size.
Our transparent pricing structures make it easy for businesses to integrate testing into their regular protocols without excessive costs, facilitating comprehensive drug use checks efficiently and cost-effectively.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them a prime choice in Shawnee Land, VA. These tests boast high accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring reliable results quickly. Their capability to uncover drug use over time ensures that they're not only fast but also consistently dependable.
One of the premier benefits of hair testing is its ability to deliver results rapidly without compromising accuracy. This speed and precision are crucial for timely decision-making and maintaining safety in environments that require a drug-free policy.
For Shawnee Land, VA employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It enhances safety by efficiently identifying substance use, thereby minimizing legal risks. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing they are compliant with regulations and promoting a safer work environment.
Implementing hair testing as part of the employment screening process helps diminish workplace accidents related to drug use and aligns with industry best practices, boosting organizational reputation and operational safety.
