Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is acknowledged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers within the strand of growing hair capture biomarker evidence of prolonged alcohol and drug exposure. When collected near the head's surface, hair delivers almost a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. It is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the head supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We advise measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory drug test processing involves four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the primary registration of a sample into a lab's system, which involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening conducts an initial rapid test for drugs of misuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening result requires validation for it to be court-admissible. Any samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening need secondary confirmation.
In cases where a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, hair releases drugs at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lake Forest Park, WA: Hair testing offers superior detection compared to traditional urine tests. With an extensive detection span, hair tests accurately represent an individual's substance use, far beyond the capacity of urine tests.
Reliability and precision are key advantages of hair testing. Unlike urine tests, hair testing presents a broader detection window and reduces errors, which enhances an employer's ability to maintain a safe workplace.
Extended Detection Window in Lake Forest Park, WA: Hair follicle testing provides insight into drug use over an extended period. Its capacity to detect substances up to 90 days establishes it as a comprehensive tool for evaluating an individual’s drug history.
Employers are empowered with a full picture of potential or current employees' substance activity, making hair testing invaluable for informed hiring decisions and workplace evaluations.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lake Forest Park, WA: Hair follicle tests offer unparalleled defense against sample tampering. Ensuring reliable results, this method greatly diminishes risks associated with sample adulteration.
Guaranteed to be tamper-proof, hair testing is recognized for providing results that stand up to scrutiny, protecting the integrity of the test process.
The robust method safeguards results from interference, giving users unmatched assurance of accuracy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Lake Forest Park, WA: Our extensive network of testing sites ensures easy, hassle-free access to drug testing services. This nationwide accessibility means rapid, convenient scheduling for any testing requirements.
Local centers streamline the process, ensuring pathological benefits are accessible quickly and without added complication, enhancing user satisfaction and testing efficiency.
Simple, Confidential Process in Lake Forest Park, WA: The straightforward nature of our hair follicle testing process ensures confidentiality and ease. From ordering to receiving results, our methods safeguard privacy and facilitate a seamless experience.
The confidential approach instills trust and reduces anxiety over the testing processes, ensuring that clients feel secure in their privacy and the efficient delivery of test outcomes.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lake Forest Park, WA: Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround time enhance the value of our testing services. Businesses benefit from cost-effective pricing, without sacrificing result quality or speed.
The affordability combined with rapid processing reassures companies of all sizes, providing tests that not only conserve financial resources but also instill timely result delivery.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lake Forest Park, WA: Hair follicle drug testing delivers swift and accurate insights into substance use. Known for its precision, this method assures high accuracy, making it a trusted choice for detecting habitual use.
The speed and dependability of hair follicle tests make them unparalleled for identifying drug usage patterns. Ensuring accuracy, these tests provide an invaluable understanding of substance presence.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lake Forest Park, WA: Utilizing hair follicle tests secures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. Employers benefit from minimized legal exposure and enhanced safety measures, fostering a secure work environment.
Peace of mind stems from the comprehensive nature of hair tests in meeting regulatory standards, reducing workplace-related risks and enhancing organizational compliance.
