Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. The fibers of a growing hair strand capture biomarkers, providing a long-term record of drug and alcohol use. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month window for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing approximately 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp weighs around 100mg, which is the optimal sample amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair can't be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This step authenticates that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any other data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening quickly assesses samples for drugs of abuse. Although it's a cost-effective method to check for drug usage in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation for court use. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening yields a presumptive positive, more hair is removed from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging form to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screen result is achieved using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo a wash before Confirmation if needed. The whole process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Within Marcus, WA, hair testing overtakes the urine approach due to its enhanced detection accuracy. Why Hair Testing Outshines Urine Testing lies in its longer detection window and efficacy. Unlike urine tests, which can be limited in the duration they test for, hair tests provide a comprehensive assessment over extended periods, ensuring reliability employers in drug-free environments value.
The ability of hair testing in Marcus, WA to reveal drug use over a significant duration is exemplary. Extended Detection Window allows detecting substance use over the past 90 days. This wider observation period grants employers insight into the drug consumption history of its workforce, aiding in better decision-making processes.
In Marcus, WA, the inherent resistance to adulteration in hair follicle testing ensures clear, authentic results. Tamper-Resistant Testing reduces any possibilities of cheating, ensuring that the results retrieved are reliable and credible, giving employers confidence in the drug testing outcomes.
With convenient testing centers across Marcus, WA and nationally, hair follicle testing ensures accessibility. Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations make the process swift and hassle-free, allowing individuals and companies easy access to reliable testing services no matter their location.
Simplicity and confidentiality are key in Marcus, WA's hair follicle testing process. Simple, Confidential Process encapsulates the streamlined steps of ordering, conducting, and receiving test results, prioritizing privacy and ease-of-use, providing assurance to those undergoing testing.
Competitive pricing and rapid processing times are hallmarks of hair follicle testing in Marcus, WA. Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround ensure that businesses of all sizes benefit from cost-effective testing solutions, gaining quality services without financial strain and with quick result delivery.
In Marcus, WA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. Fast, Accurate, and Reliable, these tests detect substance use adeptly, ensuring high accuracy. When time is of essence, these tests deliver quick results without compromising on precision, making them a preferred choice for reliable workplace screening.
Employers in Marcus, WA benefit significantly from hair follicle testing by ensuring robust compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Compliance and Peace of Mind come from reduced legal liabilities and improved safety standards, strengthening overall corporate safety cultures.
