Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair exams are increasingly recognized as an effective means of uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. Obtaining hair near the scalp can reveal a detection window spanning up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch strand sample, composed of about 200 strands close to the scalp, equating to roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil, provides an optimal 100mg sample for both screening and confirmation. When testing for EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's beneficial to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair is an alternative. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four pivotal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory’s workflow. This process verifies that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary verification.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting hair drug screening as a complex methodology.
Positive screening confirmations are performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair credential and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these examinations analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ellisforde, WA
Hair follicle tests offer distinct advantages over traditional urine tests mainly due to their superior accuracy and reliability. In Ellisforde, organizations often choose hair tests for their ability to deliver more comprehensive insights into one's substance use history. The enhanced detection capabilities make it a preferred method for credible results.
In Ellisforde, WA, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window, allowing for the tracing of drug use up to 90 days prior. This significantly long period provides employers with a broader understanding of an individual's substance history, far surpassing the shorter review durations of other testing methods.
One of the major benefits of hair follicle testing in Ellisforde, WA is its resistance to tampering. This method greatly reduces sample adulteration risks, ensuring that the results are both reliable and beyond question. Such robustness in testing offers added confidence in test outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing facilitates convenient access to its services with nationwide centers, including local options in Ellisforde, WA. This widespread network ensures that services are not only quick and hassle-free but also within easy reach, enhancing accessibility for everyone needing drug testing.
For individuals in Ellisforde, WA, the drug testing process is straightforward and confidential. With a seamless method from ordering to receiving the results, this ensures user privacy and simplicity, catering to those seeking ease and discretion throughout the process.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Ellisforde, WA. Our affordable structures promise excellent value to companies, regardless of size, ensuring prompt results without financial strain, along with the peace of mind that comes from timely information.
In Ellisforde, WA, hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in their precision, quickly determining substance use with high accuracy. Unlike traditional methods, these tests provide results that are both fast and reliable, offering a dependable measure for substance detection. This speed and precision make hair follicle testing an invaluable resource in drug detection.
Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies is critical for employers in Ellisforde, WA. Through hair follicle testing, companies can maintain these standards effectively, minimizing legal risk and enhancing safety. This method offers peace of mind and reinforces a secure working environment.
