Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair evaluations are recognized as an effective resource for identifying substance and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they form. Taken near the scalp, hair offers close to a 90-day observation period for alcohol and substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, moderately tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.
A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If head hair is missing, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. Reference to head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test outcome is processed through four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary management of a sample within the lab's system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data input absent from an electronic custody chain.
Screening conducts an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening economically discounts drug use in most specimens, a definitive screen must be verified for court acceptability. Samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
A presumptive positive sample from Screening prompts additional hair collection from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a notably lower concentration than in methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Verification of any presumptive positive screen is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", this assessment actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests in Florence, CO, due to its exceptional detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which only provide a short detection window, hair tests offer extended insight into substance use.
The reliability of hair tests lies in their ability to detect a wider range of substances. These tests also effectively minimize the risks of sample adulteration, which is more prevalent in urine testing.
With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Florence, CO, offers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use over the past 90 days. This allows employers to better understand an applicant's or employee's long-term substance history.
This longer detection period ensures that any instances of drug use are not easily overlooked, providing a detailed history that is invaluable for companies evaluating long-term habits.
Hair follicle tests in Florence, CO, significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. By providing an inherently tamper-resistant testing method, these tests ensure that results are reliable and indisputable.
Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are difficult to alter or replace, ensuring integrity and trust in the results obtained, which is crucial for maintaining accountability and transparency.
With numerous testing centers available nationwide, including those in Florence, CO, accessing hair follicle testing services is simple and hassle-free. This convenience ensures individuals and companies can swiftly fulfill their testing needs.
The existence of local centers, coupled with nationwide support, alleviates logistical challenges, underscoring the ease with which testing can be conducted anywhere.
The process for ordering and undertaking hair follicle tests in Florence, CO, is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring participant privacy. This simplicity ensures ease of use, from ordering to receiving results.
Test-takers can be confident in the confidentiality of their results, knowing that their privacy and discretion are pivotal components of the entire process.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Florence, CO, ensures affordability and value. These aspects make the tests accessible to companies of all sizes.
The fast processing of results combined with cost-effective pricing provides organizations with peace of mind, making investing in substance detection feasible and beneficial.
In Florence, CO, hair follicle drug tests ensure precision and speed in delivering fast results. By meticulously analyzing hair samples, these tests guarantee high accuracy in substance detection, surpassing traditional methods.
The ability to quickly process hair samples means individuals and organizations receive timely updates on substance use. This rapid turnaround is invaluable for employers seeking reliable information when making informed decisions.
Employers in Florence, CO, benefit from peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it aids in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. This not only enhances safety but also minimizes the legal risks associated with workplace substance use.
Compliance with stringent substance policies through hair testing can protect employers, ensure a safer working environment, and promote a responsible workforce.
