Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for prolonged reporting on alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG testing, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advocated. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. References to head hair indicate solely scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The four core procedures in laboratory analysis for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step, where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This process involves checking that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a low-cost approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for it to be court-admissible. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo additional verification.
Should a sample display a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for processing in the Extraction stage. During Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or saliva), emphasizing the complexity of performing hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often named "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Genoa City, WI
When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers a higher level of detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing can provide a more comprehensive analysis, which is crucial for many cases.
Extended Detection Window in Genoa City, WI
Hair follicle testing is an exceptional tool for detecting drug use over a longer timeline of up to 90 days. This extended window provides a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Genoa City, WI
Hair follicle tests are designed to significantly reduce sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy and reliable results which are harder to compromise.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Genoa City, WI
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, alongside local Genoa City locations, offers fast, easy, and trouble-free testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Genoa City, WI
The process for ordering, completing, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be straightforward and discreet, ensuring privacy and ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Genoa City, WI
Our competitive pricing and rapid result times provide excellent value, making it a smart choice for businesses of any size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Genoa City, WI
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle tests make them ideal for detecting substance use accurately. They are renowned for their high reliability, ensuring you can trust the results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Genoa City, WI
Employing hair follicle testing can help ensure company compliance with drug-free policies, lowering legal risks and promoting workplace safety.
