Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow, it offers a prolonged overview of drug and alcohol use. Sampling close to the scalp yields up to a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hairs (approximate thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the preferred amount for testing and verification. For EtG and tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not present, a similar mass of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory testing process for drugs encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is logged into the laboratory system. This step entails confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry that the electronic chain of custody doesn't cover.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation to ascertain the presence of drugs. Although cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in many samples, any positive screen must be verified before being legally valid. Presumptively positive samples during Screening need secondary authentication.
If a sample appears positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Positive screening outcomes are confirmed through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. From the initial Accessioning to final Confirmation, the entire lab procedure is overseen in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Maryhill, Washington, offers superior detection capabilities and reliability. While urine tests are commonplace, the hair method provides a more extensive detection range, making it more challenging to evade results.
The hair follicle test's extended detection window of up to 90 days provides Maryhill, WA, employers, a broad overview of potential drug use. This comprehensive time span captures substance history, aiding in diligent staff assessments.
In Maryhill, WA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method that greatly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration. The collection and analysis process guarantees the integrity of the results, reliably capturing authentic data.
Testing facilities across the nation, including those in Maryhill, WA, ease the process of accessing testing services. The convenience of local and widespread centers ensures fast, uncomplicated testing access for all clients.
The hair follicle testing procedure in Maryhill, WA, upholds a simple and confidential approach, easing any privacy concerns. Ordering, undergoing tests, and receiving results streamline concerns, simplifying the entire process.
Offering competitive pricing in Maryhill, WA, hair follicle testing ensures affordability alongside fast turnaround, presenting great value to businesses irrespective of size.
In Maryhill, WA, the hair follicle drug testing method is esteemed for its precision and speed. The reliability of these tests ensures a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use, delivering results that both employers and individuals can depend on.
For employers in Maryhill, WA, hair follicle testing provides compliance with drug-free policies, offering assurance against legal challenges. By enhancing workplace safety, this testing method supports a secure and law-compliant work environment.