Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Viewed as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing uses the hair strand's fibers to capture drug and alcohol biomarkers, offering an extended overview. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over roughly a three-month period. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and facilitates easy shipping.
Gathering a 1.5-inch sample, roughly 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness), closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the perfect amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair might be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in the laboratory includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning phase, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory system, ensuring the sample seal and shipping were proper, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
In the Screening stage, a quick preliminary check detects substance misuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires further confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples that indicate a potential positive in Screening need secondary verification.
Should a sample show a potential positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted at remarkably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing as the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every sample that tests presumptively positive is cleansed before confirmation, as necessary. The entire laboratory process, ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards compliance.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although occasionally termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lakeport, CA: Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. It provides a longer detection window and reliable results, making it a more effective choice for drug testing.
Extended Detection Window in Lakeport, CA: Hair follicle testing enables detection of drug usage over an extended period of up to 90 days. This provides employers with a detailed view of an individual's substance history, essential for informed decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lakeport, CA: Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering, offering results that are trustworthy and difficult to dispute. They guarantee authenticity in drug testing procedures.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lakeport, CA: With our extensive network of testing centers, access to hair testing services is quick, simple, and stress-free, catering to both local and nationwide needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Lakeport, CA: Our testing process is straightforward and private. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, we prioritize privacy and ease to address any concerns.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lakeport, CA: We offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, ensuring excellent value and reliability for businesses of any size, along with peace of mind.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lakeport, CA: Our hair follicle drug tests boast impressive precision and speed. These tests stand out for detecting substance use with high accuracy, ensuring you receive timely and reliable results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lakeport, CA: Implementing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, minimizes legal risks, and enhances safety, providing peace of mind for employers.
