Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair records a prolonged history of substance intake by locking biomarkers within its growing strands. A sample collected close to the scalp can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Gathering hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands, akin to the width of a #2 pencil, gathered near the scalp, will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory procedure consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to initially entering a sample into a lab's system. It involves confirming that samples were properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves a preliminary swift check for drug abuse. While cost-effective for dismissing drug consumption in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to hold up in court. Samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate secondary verification.
For samples presumed positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The complete lab processing from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing benefits in Woodburn, VA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing through superior detection and reliability. Hair testing extends a longer detection window, capturing a 90-day usage history, which is invaluable compared to urine's shorter span.
Moreover, the accuracy of hair tests prevents manipulation, establishing a clear-cut screening process. This makes hair follicle tests a favored choice for organizations focusing on a stringent no-drug policy.
Hair follicle testing in Woodburn, VA provides an extended detection window that covers up to 90 days. For employers, this translates into a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, beyond what traditional testing allows.
By capturing a wider detection range, businesses receive a more thorough understanding of a subject’s drug use over time, aiding in sound hiring and management decisions.
In Woodburn, VA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant qualities, reducing the risk of adulteration. This ensures reliable and credible results.
The nature of hair testing minimizes the chance of sample manipulation, creating a secure method that delivers unquestionable outcomes, providing institutions with confidence.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing facilities in Woodburn, VA, complemented by a network of nationwide centers. This ensures seamless and accessible services for all clients.
Whether local or remote, each of our centers facilitates a quick and straightforward testing experience, minimizing hassle and effort for everyone involved.
In Woodburn, VA, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. The ease with which one can order, undertake, and receive test results emphasizes privacy and peace of mind.
This straightforward approach addresses common concerns, ensuring that all tested individuals feel secure and respected throughout the testing process.
Our services in Woodburn, VA, boast affordable pricing coupled with fast turnaround times, offering substantial value. Competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses of all sizes can access high-quality testing without breaking the budget.
Swift processing of tests complements the cost efficiency, maintaining a balance between quality and economy for maximum client satisfaction.
In Woodburn, VA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision, delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests have a high success rate in identifying substance use, making them a preferred choice for employers and organizations aiming for quality and consistency in their testing processes.
The technology used ensures rapid results, minimizing waiting times and allowing swift decision-making. This efficiency is paired with unparalleled accuracy, offering organizations peace of mind with trustworthy outcomes.
Employers in Woodburn, VA, benefit from hair follicle testing by maintaining rigorous drug-free workplace standards, aligning with compliance mandates. Ensuring adherence to such policies minimizes legal risk and bolsters safety measures within the organization.
Through this, businesses not only safeguard their operations but also cultivate an environment of trust and peace of mind.
