Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized as a significant resource, hair testing effectively detects drug and alcohol usage. Hair fibers trap biomarkers as they grow, offering a prolonged history of alcohol and drug exposure. A sample taken near the scalp can potentially reveal substance use within a three-month detection period. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch length of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For tests involving EtG, additional screenings, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is entered into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample's secure sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although it provides a cost-effective approach to eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to hold validity in legal proceedings. Samples suspected of positivity in Screening require subsequent confirmation.
If Screening reveals a presumptive positive result, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drug content is extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a sophisticated technique.
Positive Screening outcomes are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Any samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why do hair follicle tests outshine urine tests in Silver Firs, WA? The enhanced detection ability of hair tests is key. They can track substance usage over a prolonged period, offering a more comprehensive view than regular urine tests. Hair testing surpasses urine testing due to its superior accuracy and ability to detect substances that might otherwise remain hidden, ensuring a thorough and reliable assessment.
Employers in Silver Firs, WA, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing. While urine tests track recent use, hair examinations reveal drug use over up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive substance history, enabling employers to make informed decisions. The ability to identify long-term drug use patterns is invaluable for maintaining workplace safety and compliance.
The integrity of hair follicle tests in Silver Firs, WA, is safeguarded by their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods vulnerable to alteration, hair testing minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This leads to trustworthy results, assuring those in charge that the findings are genuine and tamper-proof—an essential component in maintaining test validity.
Accredited Drug Testing offers a network of convenient locations throughout the nation, including proximity to Silver Firs, WA. Accessibility to testing sites ensures quick and hassle-free services. With centers positioned in various cities, individuals and businesses can easily engage in drug testing without facing logistical challenges, fostering a seamless testing experience.
In Silver Firs, WA, the process for ordering, participating in, and receiving hair follicle test results is both simple and confidential. Ensuring privacy, Accredited Drug Testing handles each case with care, streamlining the testing journey. This straightforward approach alleviates concerns, allowing individuals and companies to engage with certainty and ease.
Accredited Drug Testing in Silver Firs, WA, is committed to offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing exceptional value. With timely results and an affordable cost structure, businesses, regardless of size, can access quality drug testing services. This balance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness serves to meet the diverse needs of our clientele.
In Silver Firs, WA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with speed and accuracy. Their precise detection of substances elevates them above other testing methods. While traditional tests may falter, hair testing delivers definitive results swiftly, ensuring that necessary actions can be taken promptly. The reliability of this method is rooted in its ability to consistently provide accurate readings across a diverse range of substances.
Employers in Silver Firs, WA, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This method's reliability lessens legal risks while enhancing safety. Hair testing provides a robust framework for monitoring substance use, supporting an organization's commitment to upholding a strict no-drug policy, thereby reducing potential liabilities.
