Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent tool for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical account of alcohol and drug intake by trapping biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands of hair (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verifying results. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing beyond 10 drug panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. Use a jeweler's scale for accurate specimen measurement. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Head hair pertains only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal steps in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. It entails confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves an initial rapid check for substance abuse. While Screening serves as an economical way to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening an intricate methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Advantages of Hair Testing over Urine: In Columbus Junction, IA, hair follicle testing is emerging as a superior method compared to urine tests. This approach offers enhanced accuracy and reliability, crucial for uncovering drug use patterns with higher precision.
Unlike traditional urine screening, hair tests capture a broader timeline of substance use. Employers and legal bodies favor this method for its rigorous detection capabilities and practical reliability.
Extended Detection Window: In Columbus Junction, IA, hair follicle testing shines with its ability to trace drug usage back up to 90 days. This broader detection window allows employers to form a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history beyond short-term use.
Long-term Surveillance is a significant advantage over short-term options like urine. Long-duration detection offers invaluable insights into consistent substance patterns.
Tamper-resistant Method: Hair follicle tests in Columbus Junction, IA offer a tamper-proof solution to drug testing. The design significantly minimizes risks of sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy results stakeholders can rely upon.
This method proves to be especially challenging to bypass, ensuring Integrity in collected data, crucial for fair and accurate assessments in professional settings.
Convenient Locations: Our network of nationwide testing centers, including locations in Columbus Junction, IA, guarantees accessibility to our services. Effortless access to hair testing ensures convenience and efficiency.
Our Widespread Infrastructure means that regardless of geographical location, individuals can quickly and easily engage with testing services, thus enhancing user experience.
Simple, Confidential Process: In Columbus Junction, IA, hair testing involves a straightforward and private process. From ordering to receiving your results, each step is designed with confidentiality in mind.
This process makes Ease and Privacy priorities, ensuring individuals feel comfortable and secure while obtaining their testing outcomes.
Affordable Pricing: Located in Columbus Junction, IA, our hair testing services offer competitive pricing structures. Coupled with fast turnaround times, they provide excellent value.
Cost-effective solutions mean that businesses, regardless of size, can benefit from expedited services and Economic Accessibility, making budget management easier while maintaining testing standards.
Located in Columbus Junction, IA, hair follicle testing offers rapid, precise results. This method is renowned for its ability to accurately identify substance use, providing a reliable tool for drug detection in modern screenings. The swiftness and precision of hair analyses are pivotal for users seeking accurate outcomes in detecting various substances.
Speed and Precision are the cornerstones of hair testing. Users benefit from its high accuracy rates, crucial for establishing clear patterns of substance use, making it a preferred method for both employers and legal entities.
Compliance and Peace of Mind: Hair testing contributes to workplace safety and compliance in Columbus Junction, IA. Adopting this method ensures adherence to drug-free policies, effectively minimizing legal risks.
Employers gain Assurance and peace of mind knowing they have measures in place that support a safe and healthy work environment while aligning with regulatory standards.
