Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying use of drugs and alcohol. It offers a comprehensive history of substance consumption by encapsulating chemical markers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair provides an approximate 3-month detection timeline for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands, about the girth of a #2 pencil, taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the prime amount for testing and verification. For EtG tests, additional panels, or tests above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair denotes only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step in the integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This involves checking the sample’s seal and shipment, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not provided electronically.
Screening provides a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although it's a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive outcome from Screening must be verified for legal acceptability. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, drugs are removed from hair in much lower concentrations than other methods, such as urine or oral fluid, making it the most challenging method for drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing before confirmation if needed. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, one finds significant advantages in detection accuracy and reliability in Azwell, WA. Whereas urine tests capture recent drug use within days, hair testing offers up to a 90-day insight, making it a preferred choice for entities with no-tolerance policies. The method's robustness against tampering further ensures the integrity of the results, sustaining its trustworthiness in professional settings.
Employers in Azwell, WA, gain a clear perspective on an individual's substance history with hair follicle testing's extended detection capacity, reaching up to 90 days. This window is crucial for evaluating patterns of drug use over time rather than just recent occurrences. Organizations benefit from this comprehensive analysis when making informed hiring decisions and maintaining workplace safety standards over long-term evaluations.
One of the strongest advantages of hair follicle testing in Azwell, WA, lies in its resistance to manipulation. The secured and carefully observed collection process significantly reduces the risks associated with sample adulteration. Consequently, results are reliable and can be trusted by employers, courts, and other entities, ensuring that the findings remain conclusive and indisputable.
Accredited Drug Testing extends its convenience nationwide, complemented by local testing centers in Azwell, WA. Clients can enjoy the ease of scheduling and undertaking drug tests as part of our widespread network. That ensures that no matter where you are, accessing our reliable testing services remains both hassle-free and efficient, providing timely and patient-friendly solutions.
Accessible and safeguarding privacy, the process of ordering, administering, and receiving hair follicle test results in Azwell, WA is straightforward and confidential. Our services address privacy concerns efficiently, providing users assurance that their testing needs will be managed with utmost care, maintaining anonymity and simplicity throughout the entire procedure.
Azwell, WA clients benefit from our competitively priced hair follicle testing that balances cost-effectiveness with swift result delivery. We structure our pricing to cater to businesses of various scales, ensuring excellent service value while easing financial burdens. Our quick turnaround times further affirm our commitment to meet your drug testing needs promptly, delivering peace of mind quickly and efficiently.
Hair follicle drug tests offer an unparalleled level of accuracy and speed in detecting substance use in Azwell, WA. Because each sample is meticulously analyzed, results are both quick and reliable, ensuring a high level of precision in the assessment of an individual's drug usage history. This method provides businesses and legal entities a dependable tool for evaluating substance use among employees and clients.
Implementing hair follicle drug testing provides Azwell, WA employers with compliance assurance and the tranquility of adhering to drug-free workplace policies. Such practices reduce potential litigation risks and contribute to the creation of a safer work environment. Employers can therefore maintain peace of mind knowing their company policies are upheld and their legal obligations are met concerning substance testing.
