Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the actively growing hair strand. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can provide an up-to three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, quite challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch hair sample of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield around 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the hair sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for detecting drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a financially viable method for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screen results need confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample indicates presumptive positivity during the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo a washing process before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and maintains compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually targets the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In Land O' Lakes, WI, hair follicle testing surpasses urine collections in multiple aspects. One advantage is the improved detection accuracy, capturing even infrequent drug use over a three-month timeline. Contrarily, urine tests are limited to recent use detection. Furthermore, the reliability of hair testing in detecting a myriad of substances reassures employers of consistent and infallible results, surpassing the trace detection urine can miss.
In Land O' Lakes, WI, hair follicle testing provides an impressive detection window, capturing drug use history over the past 90 days. This larger detection span gives businesses a broader overview of a person's substance habits, facilitating better recruitment and continuous monitoring. Such insights help not only in maintaining a safe workplace but also in customizing rehabilitation or support systems for employees with substance abuse issues.
Hair follicle testing in Land O' Lakes, WI is celebrated for its tamper-resistant features, vastly minimizing the risk of sample interference. Unlike urine tests, which might be manipulated with various adulterants, hair samples provide a robust method that ensures authenticity and accuracy. As altering results is practically impossible, stakeholders can trust the outcomes, affirming the integrity of the testing method.
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including those in Land O' Lakes, WI, simplifies the testing process for everyone. The convenient locations make it straightforward for both individuals and organizations to access superior testing services quickly and without hassle. This accessibility ensures that drug testing requirements are promptly met, providing geographic convenience alongside reliable results.
In Land O' Lakes, WI, undergoing hair follicle testing is a seamless experience. The process from booking to receiving results is designed to be straightforward and discrete, prioritizing privacy and user-friendliness. Clients appreciate the confidentiality maintained throughout every stage, ensuring secure handling of sensitive information while providing clear, comprehensive insights on test outcomes.
Offering competitive prices and fast result turnover, our testing services in Land O' Lakes, WI deliver exceptional value. Organizations of varying sizes can benefit from our cost-effective pricing structures along with prompt result delivery. This allows businesses to maintain stringent drug policies within budget constraints, combining fiscal sensibility with operational efficiency.
Residents of Land O' Lakes, WI benefit greatly from our hair follicle testing, known for its swift, precise results. Hair tests stand out for detecting substances with high accuracy, minimizing false positives and negatives, ensuring reliability in data. The speed at which results are processed allows individuals and employers to make timely, informed decisions, reflecting both accuracy and efficiency in the testing procedure.
For employers in Land O' Lakes, WI, hair follicle testing ensures that workplace drug policies are effectively enforced. This testing method helps in upholding a drug-free environment, reducing potential legal issues and fostering a safe, productive workplace atmosphere. Peace of mind comes from knowing the testing is thorough and compliant with industry standards, thereby safeguarding employee welfare and company integrity.
