Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means of identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair samples can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to 3 months. Collection is easy, tampering is challenging, and shipping is straightforward.
A sample of 1.5 inches, around 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp, offers 100mg of hair, the preferred sample amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advocate using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equal volume of body hair can be used. Head hair exclusively refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses facial, axillary, and other hair types.
Process Overview
The drug test result processing entails four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to initially entering a sample into a laboratory's protocol. It includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any subsequent data required that is not part of an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, rapid examination for drugs. It offers a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug presence in most samples, though judicially acceptable evidence demands confirmation of any positive screen. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Once a sample presents a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is utilized for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more sophisticated process.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Necessary washing of presumptive positive samples is conducted prior to confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed adhering to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Leadpoint, WA, hair follicle testing is unmatched compared to urine tests. Hair tests provide more accurate and reliable detection, with a longer detection window, making them a superior option for assessing drug use.
Leadpoint, WA, employers benefit from hair follicle testing's extensive detection period, up to 90 days, offering a detailed view of an individual's substance use over time, aiding in comprehensive evaluations.
In Leadpoint, WA, hair follicle tests inherently minimize sample tampering risks. This ensures that results are trustworthy, providing a secure and credible method of testing over others.
With locations in Leadpoint, WA and nationwide, our testing centers offer hassle-free, efficient access to services. This convenience enables participants to undergo testing easily and swiftly.
In Leadpoint, WA, our hair follicle drug tests are conducted with simplicity and confidentiality. The seamless process addresses privacy concerns and provides users with straightforward access to results.
Companies in Leadpoint, WA enjoy competitive pricing and fast results with our hair follicle tests. The combination of affordability and rapid turnaround offers excellent value, suitable for organizations of all sizes.
In Leadpoint, WA, hair follicle drug testing excels with quick, precise results. Its superior accuracy, compared to traditional methods, reliably detects substance use, offering a dependable tool for employers and individuals.
For Leadpoint, WA businesses, hair follicle testing assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal concerns. This promotes a safer and more secure environment for employees.
