Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, not easily tampered with, and is convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch specimen consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair indicates all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s framework. This process verifies that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a rapid initial inspection for substances of abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient way to identify the absence of drug use in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be accepted as evidence in legal settings. Samples that appear positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation step.
If a sample seems positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, the concentration of drugs is extracted from hair at levels much lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests the most challenging testing method to carry out.
Confirmation of any screening-positive result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptive positive sample is cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification 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 shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Snohomish, WA, several advantages become apparent. Hair tests boast enhanced accuracy and reliability, detecting substances with unmatched precision. They surpass urine tests in identifying long-term drug use, offering a detailed view of an individual's history, ensuring a fortified approach to substance screening.
Hair follicle testing in Snohomish, WA, offers an extended detection window, effectively revealing drug use up to 90 days prior. This comprehensive insight grants employers an extensive view of an individual's substance habits, facilitating informed decision-making in hiring or ongoing employment evaluations, ensuring a safer and more transparent workplace.
One standout feature of hair follicle testing in Snohomish, WA, is its resilience against tampering. This method reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration significantly, delivering results that are both reliable and indisputable. Organizations and individuals can trust the integrity of this test for authentic and unmistakable outcomes.
Snohomish, WA, benefits from our nationwide network of testing centers, providing accessible and seamless hair follicle testing services. Whether local or beyond, our convenient locations ensure a hassle-free experience, accommodating individuals and companies with efficient and timely testing solutions.
In Snohomish, WA, the process of ordering and undergoing hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From scheduling the test to receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize privacy and simplicity, ensuring participants have a seamless and stress-free experience, while maintaining discretion at all times.
Our commitment to providing affordable pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle testing in Snohomish, WA, is unwavering. We pride ourselves on delivering competitive pricing without compromising quality, ensuring that all businesses, regardless of size, receive valuable and swift service in their drug testing needs.
The efficacy and swift execution of hair follicle drug testing in Snohomish, WA, are unparalleled. This method excels in delivering precise results, making it an invaluable tool for detecting substance use. The speed at which results are processed ensures prompt and accurate findings, providing a reliable assessment for employers and professionals.
Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers in Snohomish, WA, adhere to drug-free workplace policies, alleviating legal concerns. This method enhances workplace safety and assures compliance, offering peace of mind to organizations by upholding their standards and reducing risk associated with substance use among employees.
