Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized as an effective means for detecting substance use, hair tests offer a long-term record of drug and alcohol intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When hair is cut close to the scalp, it offers a detection span of roughly three months for substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, resistant to alteration, and convenient to send.
Collecting a 1.5-inch sample, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen's weight is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar volume of body hair can be taken. Head hair refers only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug testing results encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the sample's initial entry into the laboratory system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be accepted in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo subsequent confirmation.
If indicated as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and processed for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any initial positive result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples marked as presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the actual examination is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The benefits of hair follicle testing in Novelty, WA over traditional urine tests are numerous. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, capturing a broader range of substances over an extended timeframe.
Urine tests are limited by a shorter detection window, whereas hair tests provide a comprehensive history of drug use. This makes them more reliable and robust for organizations seeking thorough analysis.
In Novelty, WA, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection period, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This provides employers with an in-depth view of an individual's substance history, beyond what urine tests can offer.
One of the key advantages of hair testing is its ability to uncover long-term substance use patterns, crucial for making informed decisions in employment settings.
Hair follicle testing in Novelty, WA is celebrated for its tamper-resistant qualities. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are extremely difficult to adulterate, ensuring genuine and precise results.
This resistance to tampering fortifies the integrity of drug testing processes, making it a trusted method for organizations seeking indisputable outcomes.
The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including those in Novelty, WA, offers seamless access to drug testing services. This network ensures that testing is quick and hassle-free.
Local and widespread locations alike provide flexibility and ease, making drug testing accessible for individuals and organizations alike.
In Novelty, WA, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, every step is designed with privacy and ease in mind.
This straightforward approach addresses concerns about confidentiality and the effort involved in the testing process, enhancing user experience.
Accredited Drug Testing in Novelty, WA offers affordable pricing paired with rapid turnaround times. Our competitive rates ensure that businesses get excellent value without sacrificing quality.
These economic advantages, coupled with the efficiency of service, provide companies with peace of mind, knowing they receive cost-effective and trustworthy drug testing solutions.
In Novelty, WA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with precision and speed. The high accuracy of these tests ensures that substance use is detected effectively, granting reliable results promptly.
The efficiency of hair follicle tests lies in their ability to process samples swiftly without compromising the integrity of the results. This reliability makes them a preferred choice for entities requiring quick and exact outcomes.
Employers in Novelty, WA can achieve compliance and assurance by using hair follicle testing. It supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies and minimizes legal risks.
This testing method bolsters workplace safety and ensures that companies maintain the highest standards of employee wellness and policy compliance.
