Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as a potent mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair carries an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected close to the scalp, this method extends up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to ship.
A sample size of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and validation. To test for EtG, additional markers, or panels over ten, a specimen size of 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is advisable. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair may be collected. In this context, head hair references scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other bodily hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result includes four key procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step involves verifying the sample's sealing and shipping integrity, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Any samples preliminarily identified as positive in Screening demand further verification.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen to prepare for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging strategy to execute.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positives are washed before confirmation if necessary. The whole laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being called "hair follicle tests", these tests specifically analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Otter Creek, WI, stands out by offering superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests. Hair tests provide a wider detection window that spans up to 90 days, effectively identifying drug use beyond recent weeks.
Employers benefit from this heightened reliability, maintaining drug-free environments. The longer detection period aids in evaluating long-term employee behavior, unlike urine tests, which primarily catch recent drug use.
Hair follicle testing in Otter Creek, WI, presents an extended detection window, capturing drug usage up to three months prior. This extensive timeframe offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance history.
This method is invaluable for sectors requiring high trust, portraying a complete picture of past drug use, whereas urine tests may only reveal recent activities.
In Otter Creek, WI, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. The collection method significantly limits adulteration chances, ensuring unquestionable results.
This reliability meets the standards set by employers and legal entities, reducing the potential for false-negative outcomes and maintaining integrity in drug testing procedures.
Otter Creek, WI, benefits from our convenient national testing locations, ensuring seamless service access. Nationwide centers enable clients to schedule and complete tests without obstacles, aligning with diverse needs.
This expansive network supports swift testing processes, so individuals and companies experience minimal downtime and logistical stress.
In Otter Creek, WI, our hair follicle testing offers a simple and confidential process. The steps from ordering tests to receiving results are streamlined, catering to privacy concerns and user-friendliness.
Clients trust in our ability to protect their data and deliver results efficiently, providing reassurance throughout the entire testing journey.
Providing affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Otter Creek, WI, our service delivers value to businesses of all scales. Competitive rates coupled with quick processing empower companies to uphold drug policies while managing budgets.
This balance of cost-effectiveness and speed affirms our commitment to client satisfaction and efficiency.
In Otter Creek, WI, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests efficiently pinpoint substance use with remarkable precision, ensuring both individuals and organizations receive trustworthy data swiftly.
The accuracy of hair testing lies in its ability to detect extended periods of drug use, far surpassing traditional methods. This precise detection aids employers in making informed decisions quickly.
Hair follicle testing in Otter Creek, WI, provides employers compliance and peace of mind. By embracing this method, businesses adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposure and augmenting safety practices.
Employers gain confidence knowing they are systematically screening for drug use, fostering healthier work environments.
