Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing strands. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easy to ship.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is unreachable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. For clarity, head hair refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system, ensuring it was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening conducts a preliminary check for drug presence. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court validity. Presumptive positives in Screening require secondary verification.
Upon a presumptive positive from Screening, additional hair from the initial sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), positioning hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation applies GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques to verify any positive screening outcomes. All presumptive positive samples undergo prior washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Ravenswood, WV, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability. Benefits of Hair Testing include superior detection capabilities, providing a clear timeline of substance use over months rather than days. Unlike the brief detection span of urine tests, hair tests significantly reduce the chances of missing a history of drug use, ensuring that employers make informed decisions.
Hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days, surpassing the capabilities of other tests. In Ravenswood, WV, this means employers can thoroughly assess an individual's drug use history, helping to ensure a safe and drug-free workplace. The comprehensive insight into past substance use offers greater assurance in hiring and management.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests makes them a reliable choice in Ravenswood, WV. By minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests ensure the integrity of results. This is crucial in contexts where maintaining accurate and trustworthy drug testing is essential for compliance and safety.
With numerous nationwide and local testing centers in Ravenswood, WV, our services ensure that accessing hair follicle testing is convenient and hassle-free. The wide network of locations means quick and easy access to comprehensive drug testing services, facilitating efficient and stress-free processes for all users.
The simple, confidential process offered in Ravenswood, WV, makes ordering and receiving hair follicle test results stress-free. With a focus on privacy, clients can be assured of discreet handling of their data, from appointment to results, allowing for peace of mind alongside ease of use.
In Ravenswood, WV, our hair follicle testing services boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround, offering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures combined with rapid result deliveries ensure that organizations can enjoy both cost-effectiveness and timely access to necessary information.
For those seeking fast and reliable results in Ravenswood, WV, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision. They deliver highly accurate substance detection by leveraging advanced analytical methods, ensuring swift and definitive insights into an individual's drug use history. This precision is critical for organizations prioritizing safety and compliance in their workforce.
Employers in Ravenswood, WV, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances the overall safety and productivity of their environments. The peace of mind that comes with reliable testing allows employers to focus on core business activities.
