Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a lengthy record of alcohol and drug presence by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month span of drug and alcohol presence. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A segment measuring 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hairs (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's recommended to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of head hair, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though cost-effective in eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admittance. Any presumptively positive samples from Screening are subjected to additional confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial batch for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening a notably challenging method.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples with presumptive positive results are washed prior to necessary confirmation steps. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Starrsville, GA
When comparing methods, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy. While traditional urine tests detect recent use, hair tests offer a broader timeline, capturing drug habits over months, making them the preferred choice for many.
A Broader Detection Window in Starrsville, GA
Hair follicle testing extends the detection timeframe to an impressive 90 days. This allows employers to gain deeper insights into an individual's substance habits, crucial for making informed decisions regarding hiring and employee management.
Resilient Against Tampering in Starrsville, GA
Hair follicle tests are inherently tamper-resistant. The process minimizes the chance of adulteration, delivering precise and reliable results. This upholds the integrity of the testing, providing stakeholders with the confidence needed in their results.
Accessible Testing Centers Nationwide and Locally in Starrsville, GA
Our testing centers across the nation, including local sites in Starrsville, provide unparalleled convenience. With easy access to facilities, clients ensure their testing is conducted without hassle, saving time and effort.
A Straightforward and Confidential Process in Starrsville, GA
The procedure for hair follicle testing is both simple and private. From order to result, every step is designed to safeguard user privacy, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients.
Competitively Priced with Rapid Results in Starrsville, GA
Our pricing is structured to be affordable for all business sizes, with quick turnaround times. This ensures excellent value, helping companies maintain peace of mind without breaking the budget.
Swift and Reliable Outcomes in Starrsville, GA
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched accuracy and efficiency. Their precision ensures rapid detection of substances, offering results you can trust. The process is designed to deliver timely and dependable findings without compromising on the quality of data collected.
Ensuring Compliance and Security for Employers in Starrsville, GA
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces legal liabilities but also promotes a safer working environment, granting peace of mind to employers.
