Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has evolved into an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair serves as a long-term record by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, it offers a detection span of close to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for initial tests and confirmations. For EtG, supplemental tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifies scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in the lab involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into the lab’s system. This part ensures the sample's seal and shipping are intact, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and wraps up any further data entry not covered by an electronic custody tracking system.
Screening performs an initial drug abuse check. While it's an economical way to eliminate drug use in most samples, confirming a positive screen is vital for legal acceptance. Any samples showing a presumptive positive from Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.
When a sample gets a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen to prepare for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluids), marking hair drug screening as the toughest method to carry out.
Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing pre-confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brush Prairie, WA
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine tests in Brush Prairie, WA. Its superior detection accuracy spans a broader spectrum of substances, capturing more comprehensive results. Unlike urine tests, hair testing is less susceptible to short-term abstinence, ensuring reliable and accurate insights into drug use patterns, which is invaluable for rigorous drug policies.
Extended Detection Window in Brush Prairie, WA
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Brush Prairie, WA, allows identification of drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive period provides employers with a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's past drug use. It empowers businesses to assess patterns over time for more informed decisions regarding potential hires or ongoing employee evaluations.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brush Prairie, WA
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening in Brush Prairie, WA. By significantly lowering the chances of sample adulteration, these tests deliver results that are dependable and unquestionable. The integrity of hair follicle testing ensures trust and transparency, vital for maintaining compliance with stringent drug-free workplace standards.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Brush Prairie, WA
Our convenient nationwide testing locations, including Brush Prairie, WA, ensure easy access to hair follicle drug tests. With local centers available, individuals and businesses can enjoy quick and hassle-free testing services, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency for conducting necessary drug screenings.
Simple, Confidential Process in Brush Prairie, WA
The process for ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Brush Prairie, WA, is straightforward and confidential. This approach addresses privacy concerns and ensures ease of use, making the testing experience as seamless as possible while safeguarding user confidentiality and delivering timely results.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Brush Prairie, WA
In Brush Prairie, WA, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle drug tests. Our affordable structures provide excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes can benefit from precise and timely results, enabling them to make informed decisions without excessive costs or delays.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brush Prairie, WA
In Brush Prairie, WA, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed. These tests boast high accuracy levels in detecting substance usage, providing reliable results swiftly. This method not only highlights substance intake but does so with exceptional reliability, enabling informed decision-making for employers and organizations.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brush Prairie, WA
Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies in Brush Prairie, WA, reducing potential legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. By implementing these tests, employers gain peace of mind, knowing that they are adhering to regulations and protecting their workforce from the implications of substance abuse.