Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair tests has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. This approach offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and other substance consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, the hair can reveal a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively hard, and shipping is convenient.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil’s thickness) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for testing and validation. For EtG, addendum tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is preferable. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (like facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result involves four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s database. This phase encompasses ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, allocating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for substances typically abused. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, when a result is positive, it requires confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that are initially positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which highlights the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any presumptive positive result from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all samples initially deemed positive undergo washing if necessary. Each phase of the laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the Hair designation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and adheres to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed as “hair follicle tests”, the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Grandview, WA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. A hair test offers an extended view of substance use, unlike urine tests which are typically limited in scope. Employers benefit by gaining insights into long-term drug habits, helping them maintain a safer work environment.
The capability of hair follicle testing to identify drug use over a substantial period, up to 90 days, is noteworthy in Grandview, WA. This extended detection window enables employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's drug use, providing a comprehensive outlook on past substance habits.
In Grandview, WA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method for drug testing, significantly decreasing the risk of sample manipulation. This ensures that results are both reliable and unquestionable, providing peace of mind and maintaining test integrity effectively.
With testing centers nationwide, including in Grandview, WA, our facilities offer convenient access to hair follicle testing services. This wide-reaching network ensures a quick, hassle-free testing experience, providing essential drug testing solutions right where they are needed.
The hair follicle testing procedure in Grandview, WA, is straightforward and confidential. From the ordering to the test-taking and receiving results, the process maintains privacy while ensuring ease of use. This approach addresses potential concerns, offering a simple testing path.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our services in Grandview, WA, provide great value to companies of all sizes. This affordability and efficiency assure clients of excellent service, ensuring peace of mind while maintaining cost-effective practices.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Grandview, WA, stand out. With their high accuracy, these tests can detect substance use reliably and quickly. This method proves to be indispensable for those looking for fast and precise results, offering a trustworthy solution for detecting drug use.
Employers in Grandview, WA, find compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies decreases potential legal risks and promotes safety, making it a preferred choice for businesses aiming for a secure and compliant work environment.
