Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When collected near the scalp, it can indicate drug or alcohol use for a period of up to about 3 months. It is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10-panel screens, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The primary procedures involved in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s protocol. This step verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional details not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary examination for substance abuse. While it's a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be validated for legal acceptance. Any samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In cases where Screening suggests positivity, additional strands are used for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair in concentrations lower than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair testing one of the most complex methods.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing if necessary before confirmation. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in accordance with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Green Spring, WV, exceeds the traditional urine test in several ways. Most notably, it has a superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Unlike urine tests, hair tests cover a longer detection period, revealing patterned substance use. For employers enforcing drug-free policies, this means a more comprehensive evaluation of an employee's substance history.
In Green Spring, WV, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days, helping employers evaluate long-term substance use.
This duration is invaluable for hiring managers, providing a comprehensive view of potential employee behavior and ensuring workplace safety and compliance.
Hair follicle tests in Green Spring, WV, offer a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration.
The nature of hair testing makes it nearly impossible to cheat, guaranteeing reliable and unquestionable results for employers looking to maintain a drug-free environment.
Green Spring, WV, benefits from convenient nationwide and local testing centers, ensuring quick and hassle-free access.
This network enables easy and efficient scheduling of tests, providing flexibility and accessibility to those in need of testing services.
Green Spring, WV, offers a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing, addressing privacy and ease of use.
From ordering to taking tests and receiving results, the process is straightforward, allowing individuals to feel secure and respected in their privacy.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Green Spring, WV, our hair follicle tests provide value for companies of all sizes.
Competitive pricing coupled with quick results ensures confident decision-making, benefiting both employers and their employees.
In Green Spring, WV, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. Precision is refined through advanced analysis, detecting substance use with heightened accuracy.
Compared to other methods, hair testing has an accelerated process, providing speed in turnaround times, ensuring quick results. This method is a top choice for those requiring reliability and efficiency in drug testing.
Employers in Green Spring, WV, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies.
Utilizing this method minimizes legal risks, enhances safety, and fosters a secure work environment, beneficial for both employees and employers alike.
