Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is acknowledged as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair gives a long-standing record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. Collecting samples near the scalp can offer an approximately 3-month detection timeline for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for assessment and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler's scale is suggested for specimen weighing. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory system. This involves verifying the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry that might not be covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary quick check for substances of abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use from most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for courtroom validity. Presumptively positive screenings necessitate a secondary confirmation step.
For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the collected specimen for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a challenging methodology.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the focus is on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Rochester, IL, hair follicle testing stands out as the superior choice over traditional urine tests. Its extended detection window offers a broader view of drug use, reaching up to 90 days, thereby surpassing the limited timeframe offered by urine testing. This makes hair testing a more reliable measure for verifying drug use, ensuring employers receive accurate and dependable results.
Employers in Rochester, IL benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, allowing drug use history to be observed for up to 90 days. This comprehensive time frame provides a better understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance utilization history, offering a more complete perspective than other testing methods.
Hair follicle testing in Rochester, IL is a tamper-resistant method that significantly minimizes sample adulteration risks. Unlike other testing techniques, hair tests are nearly impossible to manipulate, providing employers and individuals with results they can trust. This reliability is critical for maintaining integrity in drug testing processes.
Rochester, IL residents have convenient access to Accredited Drug Testing's services through nationwide testing centers. With local facilities available, testing becomes a quick and easy process, removing the hassle and ensuring a seamless experience for all participants needing drug testing services.
The hair follicle testing process in Rochester, IL is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy at every stage. Ordering a test, submitting a sample, and receiving results are all streamlined for user ease, addressing privacy concerns and guaranteeing a straightforward experience from start to finish.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Rochester, IL provides great value for organizations seeking reliable drug screening. The competitive pricing and quick results contribute to peace of mind, catering to companies of all sizes and maintaining budget-friendly services without compromising quality.
Hair follicle drug tests in Rochester, IL deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests excel in pinpointing substance use with remarkable precision, providing results quickly and consistently. This ensures that individuals and employers can trust the data obtained through hair testing to make informed decisions regarding substance use policies.
For employers in Rochester, IL, using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace substance policies, reducing legal liabilities and fostering a safe work environment. Hair testing reinforces an organization's commitment to a drug-free workplace, providing peace of mind to employers and upholding safety standards.