Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now recognized as a potent method to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use by trapping indicators within the strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal a drug or alcohol history extending up to roughly three months. The process of collecting hair samples is straightforward, quite resistant to tampering, and easy to deliver.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for testing and confirmation. For EtG additions, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure of processing a drug test in a lab entails four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating the sample into the lab's system. This step checks proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial swift check for substance presence. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, positive screenings necessitate confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples with assumed positive results from Screening need a secondary confirmation step.
For presumptive positive samples from Screening, additional hair is gathered from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug analysis as the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, complying with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly misnamed "hair follicle tests", these assessments analyze the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Okauchee, WI
When comparing hair testing to traditional urine tests, the benefits become clear. Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a longer history of drug use compared to urine. They provide an edge by revealing substance usage up to 90 days prior, ensuring a thorough assessment.
Boasting an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Okauchee, WI, can trace substance use for up to 90 days. This makes it an invaluable tool for employers who wish to gain insights into someone's long-term substance habits, offering a comprehensive view that urine tests cannot provide.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the chances of sample adulteration. In Okauchee, WI, this testing method ensures reliable and certain results, making it a preferred choice for employers aiming for an unquestionable drug screening process.
With convenient nationwide testing locations and dedicated options in Okauchee, WI, accessing hair follicle testing services has never been easier. Our centers ensure a quick, straightforward, and stress-free experience, enabling efficient execution of testing procedures.
The hair follicle testing process in Okauchee, WI, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, we address privacy and ease of use concerns, ensuring that clients experience seamless and discreet service throughout.
Our commitment to affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Okauchee, WI, ensures excellent value for companies regardless of size. With competitive rates and quick response times, we deliver the peace of mind that businesses require in their drug testing needs.
For those seeking fast, accurate, and reliable results in Okauchee, WI, hair follicle testing is unmatched. This testing method excels in precision, offering a robust solution for detecting substance use. The ability to identify drugs accurately helps maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
Opting for hair follicle testing can support compliance and provide peace of mind for employers in Okauchee, WI. As businesses strive to uphold drug-free workplace policies, this testing method reduces potential legal risks and enhances workplace safety by ensuring adherence to these guidelines.
