Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can provide a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to roughly 3 months. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to counterfeit, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of nearly 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves confirming the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes an initial quick examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs validation to be admissible in court. Any samples that appear positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is a complex methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that appear positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hanover, IL: Hair testing shines when compared to traditional urine testing due to its remarkable detection accuracy and reliability. It surpasses urine tests by offering a longer detection window and minimizing the chances of tampering, making it a superior choice for thorough and trustworthy screening.
Extended Detection Window in Hanover, IL: Hair follicle tests are favored for their ability to trace drug use over an extensive time frame of up to 90 days. This provides employers with a detailed insight into the substance history of employees or applicants, offering a comprehensive analysis that urine tests fail to deliver.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hanover, IL: One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. The chance of adulterating a sample is greatly reduced, ensuring that the results are both reliable and unquestionable, providing stakeholders with confidence in the testing procedure.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hanover, IL: Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including those in Hanover, IL, ensures testing is quick and easy. This widespread availability eliminates logistical hassles, facilitating seamless access to necessary testing services wherever needed.
Simple, Confidential Process in Hanover, IL: The process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, from ordering the test to receiving the results. This setup ensures that users' privacy is maintained, addressing concerns about disclosure and facilitating a stress-free experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hanover, IL: Our competitive pricing models combined with rapid result delivery offer great value for businesses big and small. This efficiency ensures peace of mind by balancing cost-effectiveness with timely, reliable drug testing services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hanover, IL: Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift, precise outcomes. Due to their high accuracy, they are excellent at revealing substance usage. This testing method ensures fast and consistent results, making it the preferred choice for those seeking reliability and integrity in analytical drug testing.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hanover, IL: Implementing hair follicle testing allows employers in Hanover, IL to adhere to drug-free workplace policies easily. This not only mitigates legal risks but also promotes a safer work environment, contributing to peace of mind for all involved.
