Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized for its effectiveness, hair testing is a valuable strategy for identifying substance use, holding biomarkers within the hair's growth that reveal historical drug and alcohol patterns. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it offers a detection range extending up to roughly three months for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.
To obtain an adequate sample, a hair strand section of 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hairs (similar in size to a standard #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG analysis and detailed testing extending beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other hair types (including facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a specimen into a lab's system initially. This phase ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any requisite data entry absent an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents an initial assessment for substance misuse. It's a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug presence across many cases, though positives from screening necessitate confirmation for legal validity. Any samples indicating presumptive positives in Screening mandate further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than found in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly complex process to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples indicating presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation if required. The entire procedural pathway, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When assessing drug use, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Redmond, WA. Hair testing delivers greater accuracy in detecting a wider range of substances, giving a detailed snapshot of an individual's drug use history.
Compared to urine tests, hair analysis provides a more extended detection timeline, making it the superior choice for employers keen on comprehensive understanding of potential employees' drug habits.
Hair follicle testing in Redmond, WA, offers an extensive detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days past the potential offense. This prolonged period covers a thorough history of substance use, granting employers a full profile of an individual’s habits.
The ability to screen for drug use over this extended duration presents a significant advantage for employers striving for clarity on their workforce's substance adherence.
In Redmond, WA, hair follicle testing is revered for being tamper-resistant. Its method significantly diminishes any attempt at sample adulteration, offering reliable results that remain incontestable.
Utilizing hair sampling ensures authenticity and assurance in drug testing, as it is much harder to manipulate compared to other forms like urine sampling.
In Redmond, WA, our widespread network of testing facilities offers convenience and ease of access. With nationwide centers, obtaining a hair follicle test is hassle-free, whether locally or beyond.
These strategically positioned locations afford quick service, making it seamless for individuals and companies to engage in necessary testing procedures with minimal effort.
Redmond, WA ensures that the drug testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns. The process of ordering and receiving results is simplified to enhance user experience and reassurance.
By guaranteeing confidentiality, hair testing maintains individuals' peace of mind while securing accurate, private results swiftly and efficiently.
Offering competitive pricing and speedy results in Redmond, WA, hair follicle testing provides exceptional value for businesses big and small. This approach accommodates various budgets while delivering rapid, high-quality reports.
For any business aiming for economy and excellence, affordable rates paired with prompt turnaround ensures a reliable ally in maintaining workplace compliance and safety.
In Redmond, WA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their rapid and precise results. Probing deeper, hair analysis accurately identifies substance intake with remarkable efficiency, solidifying its status as the preferred method over other testing forms due to its precision.
The high accuracy of hair testing delivers comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history, offering both speed and reliability unmatched by conventional testing techniques.
For employers in Redmond, WA, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, fostering peace of mind and minimizing risks. Adherence to these protocols secures legal compliance while also elevating workplace safety standards.
With this methodology, employers can confidently impose zero-tolerance measures while supporting a secure and responsible workplace environment.
