Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a robust means for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a repository for long-term drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they're produced. When samples are collected near the scalp, they can reveal up to a 3-month history of drug and alcohol exposure. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields around 100mg of hair, deemed optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample weight of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure specimen weight. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used instead. The term head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four critical stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into the laboratory system. This process ensures the sample's seal and shipment are intact, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by digital chain of custody systems.
Screening constitutes an initial, cost-efficient assessment for indications of drug use. While this method effectively eliminates the presence of drugs in the majority of samples, any positive results necessitate confirmation for legal validity. Presumptive positives in Screening proceed to a secondary verification stage.
Should a sample be deemed presumptively positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, the drugs are isolated from the hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples signaling a presumptive positive are cleaned prior to confirmation if required. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes an evaluation for both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," these assessments actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Clewiston, FL While traditional urine tests have been utilized for years, hair follicle testing offers enhanced detection accuracy. Not only does it provide a longer detectability period, but it also minimizes the risk of adulteration, ensuring reliability.
Extended Detection Window in Clewiston, FL Hair follicle testing captures drug use over a window of up to 90 days. This extensive timeline offers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, invaluable for employers assessing potential hires.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Clewiston, FL Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering. The collection process makes it exceptionally challenging to alter results, offering accurate and trustworthy findings every time.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Clewiston, FL Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures that accessing testing services is a straightforward and hassle-free experience, catering to local needs as well.
Simple, Confidential Process in Clewiston, FL The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for all clients.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Clewiston, FL Our competitive pricing alongside swift turnaround times provides remarkable value, catering to companies of varying sizes with efficiency and affordability.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Clewiston, FL Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision, quickly detecting substance use with remarkable accuracy. This reliability is essential for employers seeking trustworthy results within a short timeframe.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Clewiston, FL Through hair follicle testing, businesses can uphold drug-free workplace policies. It not only aids in reducing legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety, offering peace of mind for employers.
