Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug use over a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and can be easily transported.
A 1.5-inch snippet comprising roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the head's surface provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for both screening and validation. For EtG enhancements, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair covers all other hair kinds (including facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This involves checking the sample’s seal and shipment integrity, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data processing not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid test for substance abuse. Though Screening is economically efficient for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive finding must be verified to be legally viable. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo further Confirmation.
Should a sample test positive during Screening, more hair is retrieved from the main sample and readied for Extraction. This stage focuses on extracting drugs from hair, where they exist in much lower quantities compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids). Hence, hair drug testing is recognized as the most challenging approach to conduct.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", this analysis evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Carrolls, WA, hair follicle testing stands as a superior choice over traditional urine testing. One of the notable benefits is its rigorous detection accuracy, offering an unmatched reliability that urine tests sometimes lack. The method excels in identifying long-term substance intake, providing insights that more conventional urine tests often miss, establishing itself as the gold standard for reliable drug screening.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Carrolls, WA presents a thorough picture of an individual's drug usage. This long-term insight aids employers significantly in understanding the broader substance use history of potential hires or current employees, as it encompasses a broader timeline, giving a true reflection of an individual’s habits.
Hair follicle testing in Carrolls, WA significantly minimizes the chance of sample tampering. Its inherent design makes it difficult to adulterate or switch samples, ensuring the results are genuine and beyond question. This tamper-resistant quality makes it a reliable testing method, offering peace of mind with its unquestionable accuracy and integrity.
In Carrolls, WA, and beyond, our widespread testing centers offer unparalleled convenience for those seeking hair follicle tests. These locations ensure rapid, accessible, and straightforward service, eliminating the hassle often associated with drug testing procedures. Whether local or nationwide, our centers deliver efficient services tailored to meet your needs.
The hair follicle testing process in Carrolls, WA stands out for its simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the protocols ensure privacy and straightforward handling, addressing any privacy concerns. This streamlined approach underscores an effortless yet secure testing experience for all clients.
Offering affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Carrolls, WA provides exceptional value to businesses of all sizes. The competitive pricing structures ensure that clients receive fast, reliable results without compromising financial constraints, yielding both high-quality testing and economic efficiency.
Hair follicle drug testing in Carrolls, WA boasts outstanding speed and accuracy, making it the preferred option for precise substance detection. Its ability to deliver fast, reliable results assess an individual's drug use history with remarkable efficiency. This method's scientifically-supported accuracy ensures dependable outcomes, establishing confidence in testing legitimacy for all stakeholders involved.
In Carrolls, WA, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, affording employers peace of mind. This testing method not only addresses legal obligations but also contributes to a safer work environment by minimizing drug-related risks, promising consistent enforcement of workplace safety standards and reducing potential liabilities.
