Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can present roughly a three-month detection timeline for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent volume of body hair might be utilized. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair; body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a specimen within a lab's system. This entails ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody record.
Screening signifies an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are withdrawn from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed 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 analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing with urine testing in Exira, IA, several advantages become evident. Hair tests provide a more accurate and reliable assessment of long-term substance use.
The advantages of hair testing include a non-intrusive collection process and results that reflect three months of drug use history, offering a clear, extended view that surpasses traditional urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Exira, IA offers an extensive detection window, up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's drug use history.
This extended detection capability makes hair tests a preferred choice for companies aiming to ensure a drug-free workplace by revealing consistent usage patterns.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Exira, IA sets them apart. With reduced opportunities for adulteration, these tests provide reliable, unquestionable results.
This reliable method supports confident decision-making for employers, safeguarding against attempts to skew results through sample tampering.
Accessing testing services is straightforward with our convenient nationwide centers near Exira, IA. We offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing.
Our ability to provide extensive coverage ensures that individuals and employers can easily conduct their hair follicle tests with minimal inconvenience.
Our hair follicle testing in Exira, IA is designed to be a simple and confidential process. This ensures privacy and ease of use from ordering to receiving results.
These tests address privacy concerns efficiently, making it easy for users to confidently access and interpret their test outcomes.
We offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Exira, IA for hair follicle testing. Our competitive pricing structures provide exceptional value for companies of all sizes.
The combination of affordable rates and swift results enables businesses to sustain their operational pace without financial strain.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests in Exira, IA stands out. This testing technology is renowned for its high accuracy, enabling the swift detection of substance use.
Employers value this method for its capacity to give fast, accurate insights into an individual's drug use history. The rapid and trustworthy nature of hair tests is a significant asset for maintaining workplace safety.
Hair follicle testing in Exira, IA offers employers a pathway to compliance and peace of mind. It ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety.
The use of hair tests highlights an organization's commitment to upholding stringent workplace safety standards, fostering a productive and safe work culture.
