Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying substance and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's growing fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can present a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will supply 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for examination and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be utilized. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four key steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be permissible in legal contexts. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be tentatively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if required. The whole lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Cromwell, WA? The superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests make them the preferred choice. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection window and are less prone to adulteration, ensuring more trustworthy results.
Hair follicle testing in Cromwell, WA, boasts an extended detection period, capable of revealing drug use up to 90 days. Employers benefit from a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history, making it invaluable for pre-employment screenings and ongoing assessments.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Cromwell, WA, significantly lowers the chances of sample adulteration. This method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, providing peace of mind to employers and professionals who rely on consistent accuracy.
With convenient testing centers both nationwide and locally in Cromwell, WA, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and easy. Our centers are designed to provide hassle-free and fast services, ensuring minimal disruption to your day.
The hair follicle testing process in Cromwell, WA, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, the entire process addresses concerns of privacy and ease of use, ensuring client peace of mind.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Cromwell, WA, deliver excellent value. Companies receive quick and accurate results without compromising on cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive choice across the board.
In Cromwell, WA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and speed. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use considerably outshines traditional methods. With the ability to detect a wide range of drugs, hair testing provides an accurate picture of an individual's substance use.
In Cromwell, WA, utilizing hair follicle testing allows employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks. This method enhances overall workplace safety, ensuring peace of mind and a secure working environment.
