Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. A sample taken close to the scalp can reveal substance use for up to three months. The collection process is straightforward, it's relatively tough to tamper with, and shipment is uncomplicated.
A 1.5-inch cluster of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken from nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or beyond 10-panel testing, it's suggested to collect 150mg. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't an option, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug tests includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a specimen into the lab's system. This phase ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and supplements any missing data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary quick check for substance abuse. It's a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use for most samples, though any positive findings in the screening stage require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples flagged as presumptively positive necessitate further confirmation.
When a sample is flagged positive during Screening, more of the hair from the original sample is utilized for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair, which occurs at significantly lower concentrations compared to urine or oral fluid testing, making hair drug screening one of the most challenging procedures to conduct.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are washed if necessary before confirmation. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The commonly termed "hair follicle tests" focus on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Brush Fork, WV, hair follicle testing provides an edge over urine testing, as it allows superior detection accuracy spanning longer periods. By capturing a chemical history embedded in hair, this method offers reliability not found in traditional urine tests.
When comparing hair to urine testing, one must consider detection period and tamper resistance, with hair tests showing higher reliability, offering enhanced insight into substance history.
Hair follicle testing in Brush Fork, WV enables detection over an extended period, up to 90 days. Employers benefit from this longer overview, ensuring a comprehensive picture of substance history.
The ability to detect drug use over several months gives employers better understanding of their workforce's history in Brush Fork, enhancing workplace safety.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle tests in Brush Fork, WV is its tamper-resistant nature. Hair samples are difficult to alter, ensuring reliable and accurate test results.
Battling sample adulteration, hair tests offer a reduced risk of tampering compared to urine, providing undeniable evidence of drug use.
Offering convenient locations nationwide, Brush Fork, WV residents find easy access to our hair follicle testing services, ensuring a hassle-free process.
Our strategically placed test centers promise quick and easy access, making the testing process seamless for everyone in Brush Fork.
In Brush Fork, WV, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every stage, from ordering to receiving results.
Our simple procedure reassures Brush Fork residents of its ease of use, promoting confidence in privacy and accuracy during the testing journey.
With affordable pricing and fast turnaround, companies in Brush Fork, WV, experience excellent value, ensuring drug screening needs are efficiently met.
Our competitive pricing coupled with quick results delivers peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, proving a cost-effective solution in Brush Fork.
The rapid and precise nature of hair follicle drug tests in Brush Fork, WV is unmatched. Speed and accuracy are key advantages, with capabilities to detect substance use reliably.
High accuracy defines hair follicle tests, ensuring swift and reliable detection of substances. This superior method stands out in delivering fast results for Brush Fork residents.
In Brush Fork, WV, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and fostering a safe work environment.
Employers gain peace of mind by incorporating hair tests in their drug policies, trusting in their effectiveness in upholding workplace standards and safety.