Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by trapping biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair provides roughly a 3-month detection period for substances. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch length of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken near the scalp amounts to 100mg, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair is suitable. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test in a lab entails four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial setup of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any missing data not included through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary check for drugs. Although an economical method to exclude drug presence in most, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Any sample that shows a preliminary positive during Screening necessitates an additional confirmation.
If Screening is suggestively positive, more hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drug substances are extracted at noticeably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral swabs), making hair drug testing particularly challenging to execute.
Validation of any positive screening comes via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Samples showing presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The full process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, follows both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and requires compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Pros of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: The test, while often termed a "hair follicle test", analyzes the hair strand itself—not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lake Geneva, WI: The benefits of hair testing greatly surpass traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer longer detection periods, superior accuracy, and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing eliminates cheating risks and provides a more comprehensive view of substance use.
Extended Detection Window in Lake Geneva, WI: Hair follicle testing is renowned for its ability to trace drug use over an extended time frame, reaching up to 90 days. This wide detection window gives employers a complete picture of an individual’s drug use history, essential for making informed decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lake Geneva, WI: Hair follicle tests drastically minimize the possibility of sample tampering. The advanced methods ensure that results are reliable and unquestionable, providing peace of mind to employers and officials concerned about sample integrity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lake Geneva, WI: Our national network of testing centers ensures accessibility and convenience. With locations available locally in Lake Geneva, obtaining tests becomes a quick, easy, and hassle-free experience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Lake Geneva, WI: The process for arranging, conducting, and retrieving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and private. This approach guarantees confidentiality and eases any concerns about privacy, making the testing process user-friendly.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lake Geneva, WI: We provide competitive pricing structures paired with rapid turnaround times. This combination ensures excellent value and reliability for companies of diverse sizes, instilling confidence and peace of mind.
In Lake Geneva, WI, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are renowned for their high precision in spotting substance use, giving employers confidence in the data received. With their speed and accuracy, these tests are a favorite among those needing results they can trust.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lake Geneva, WI: Implementing hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks and promotes workplace safety, offering employers the confidence that their policies are effective and regulations are being met.
