Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a comprehensive history of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The main phases of laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial process of introducing a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entries not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. While it is a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that test positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. At this step, drugs are drawn out from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo a cleansing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is examined under the guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In North Bend, WA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are evident. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice. Why choose hair testing? The extended detection period and increased difficulty in tampering position it as a trustworthy method compared to urine tests for thorough substance use evaluations.
Hair follicle tests in North Bend, WA offer a unique advantage of extended detection windows, spanning up to 90 days. This capability enables employers to gain a more comprehensive insight into an individual's drug use history, supporting informed decision-making for employment assessments.
The risk of adulteration is significantly mitigated with hair follicle testing in North Bend, WA. This method's inherent resistance to tampering ensures that the test results remain reliable and unquestionable, offering peace of mind to employers and legal institutions alike regarding the integrity of the sample.
With extensive testing centers nationwide and local accessibility in North Bend, WA, scheduling a hair follicle test is convenient and hassle-free. These strategically placed centers facilitate easy access to reliable testing services, underscoring convenience for individuals and employers alike.
The process of undergoing a hair follicle test in North Bend, WA, is simple and maintains confidentiality throughout. The ease of ordering, taking, and receiving results assures privacy and peace of mind for users, creating a trusted testing experience that is straightforward and discreet.
In North Bend, WA, we offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing. This affordable approach provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes while delivering fast and reliable results, reinforcing financial prudence alongside superior quality service.
In North Bend, WA, the precision of hair follicle testing stands unparalleled as it delivers fast and accurate results. Known for its ability to precisely detect substance use, this testing method outshines traditional approaches. A thorough analysis ensures high accuracy, providing reliable confirmations of any drug presence within the test window.
Employers in North Bend, WA, find reassurance in hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The use of this testing method minimizes legal risks and contributes to a safer, more productive work environment, relaying peace of mind to the management team.
