Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust technique for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a chronological record of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within the hair's fibrous strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug consumption over a period of roughly 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For additional parameters like EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair. "Body hair" pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is first integrated into the laboratory’s system. This stage ensures that the sample is securely sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any requisite data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
In the Screening phase, the sample undergoes a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. Screening is an economical method for excluding drug consumption in most samples, yet to be legally valid, any positive results must be verified. Samples returning positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For samples showing presumptive positives in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair, typically at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging endeavor.
Confirmation of any Screening positive results uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Machesney Park, IL, offers superior capabilities. The longer detection window allows a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. This enhanced reliability and accuracy provide a significant advantage for employers and legal entities in maintaining drug-free environments.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Machesney Park, IL, is its extended detection window. Capable of capturing drug use patterns for up to 90 days, this method gives employers a thorough insight into an individual's consumption history, crucial for making informed hiring or retention decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Machesney Park, IL, stand as a tamper-resistant testing method. This technique significantly minimizes the possibility of sample tampering, assuring employers and entities of the authenticity and reliability of test results. Such robustness makes them highly trusted in various sectors.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts convenient nationwide locations, including facilities in Machesney Park, IL. This expansive network guarantees quick and hassle-free access to drug and alcohol testing services, ensuring that both local and national needs are efficiently met.
Our hair follicle testing process in Machesney Park, IL, is a simple and confidential experience. From ordering to receiving results, ease of use and privacy are prioritized. This streamlined approach addresses client concerns, making the testing experience as comfortable and discreet as possible.
Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Machesney Park, IL. Our competitive pricing ensures excellent value, and the prompt processing of results provides peace of mind for companies, facilitating timely and informed decision-making.
In Machesney Park, IL, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests efficiently detect substance use, providing a precise assessment of usage over an extended period. Their precision ensures that employers and organizations can make informed decisions based on trustworthy data.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Machesney Park, IL, provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, it not only minimizes legal risks but also enhances safety and productivity in the work environment, bolstering organizational reputation.
