Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historic record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. By obtaining samples near the scalp, hair analysis can reveal drug and alcohol use history over an approximate 3-month period. It's straightforward to collect, less prone to tampering, and easily transportable.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verifying results. For EtG, add-ons, and comprehensive tests beyond 10 panels, it's suggested to use 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale is advised for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types including facial and underarm hair.
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. This stage verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary examination for substance abuse. While it is a budget-friendly measure to negate drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be substantiated before it is permissible in legal settings. Any samples yielding positive indications in Screening necessitate confirmation through additional testing.
Should a sample indicate a positive result in the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drug substances are isolated from the hair, although at a lower concentration compared to other methods like urine or saliva, making hair drug testing particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening findings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a pre-confirmation washing process as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the skin.
When comparing hair follicle testing to the more common urine tests in McKenna, WA, it's clear why many favor the former. Hair tests boast superior detection rates and reliability. Not only do they have a broader detection window, but the accuracy of their results ensures no recent substance use goes unnoticed.
Hair follicle testing stands out in McKenna, WA, for its remarkable ability to track drug usage over an extended period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive window allows employers to gain profound insights into an individual's long-term substance use patterns.
McKenna's hair follicle testing solutions dramatically reduce the risk of sample tampering. Crafted to be tamper-resistant, this method guarantees that results remain both reliable and beyond dispute, ensuring confidence in every result obtained.
The convenience of multiple testing centers, both nationwide and locally in McKenna, WA, underscores the ease with which individuals and companies can access reliable testing services. These locations ensure swift and uncomplicated access for all testing needs.
In McKenna, the hair follicle testing process is designed with simplicity and confidentiality at its core. From ordering and taking the test to receiving the results, each step ensures privacy and user-friendliness, making the entire experience seamless and discreet.
Affordable pricing and swift turnaround define McKenna's hair follicle testing services, providing tremendous value for businesses of all sizes. Competitive rates paired with quick results mean companies can maintain efficiency without breaking the bank.
In McKenna, WA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their speed and accuracy in detecting any trace of substance use. Compared to traditional methods, they offer precise results that are highly dependable, ensuring that every test administered reflects an accurate assessment of an individual's substance use history.
Emphasizing compliance and assurance, McKenna's adoption of hair follicle testing enables employers to adhere strictly to drug-free workplace policies. This not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances the overall safety and well-being of employees.
