Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now considered an effective method for uncovering substance and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance history by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can indicate substance and alcohol use within a window of roughly three months. Hair is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. If head hair is not an option, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types such as facial, underarm, etc.
Process Overview
The core procedures in the drug test result process include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s protocol. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes further data entry that isn't covered by an automated chain of custody framework.
Screening comprises a swift examination for illicit drugs. While Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug consumption for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples that test potentially positive during Screening must have secondary verification.
If a sample tests potentially positive at the Screening phase, more strands from the initial sample are extracted for the Extraction stage. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations than seen in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are subjected to cleansing before confirmation, as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation in line with ISO / IEC 17025.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure designs the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its longer detection window and accuracy. In Monroe, WA, hair tests provide superior reliability, identifying drug use more effectively over time compared to traditional urine tests.
Hair follicle tests in Monroe, WA, offer an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This longer period enables employers to gain comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance history, far beyond what urine tests can provide.
In Monroe, WA, hair follicle testing delivers a more tamper-resistant method for drug detection. It's nearly impossible to adulterate hair samples, ensuring a reliable and unquestionable testing process.
Conveniently located testing centers nationwide, including Monroe, WA, make accessing our services quick and hassle-free. We ensure easy access to drug testing facilities, catering to local and national needs.
Monroe, WA residents benefit from a simple and confidential drug testing process. Ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward, emphasizing privacy and ease of use.
Competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times are hallmarks of our hair follicle testing services in Monroe, WA. We deliver great value, ensuring peace of mind for companies of all sizes with our cost-effective solutions.
The accuracy and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Monroe, WA, ensure rapid and reliable results. Precision in detecting substance use is a hallmark of hair testing, providing a more trustworthy outcome compared to other methods.
Employers in Monroe, WA, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risks and enhances workplace safety by providing accurate, unbiased results.
