Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective method for identifying usage of alcohol and drugs. The strands of hair offer an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the hair's structure as it grows. When sampled from near the scalp, hair can yield detection results for alcohol and drugs over an approximately 3-month timeframe. Hair samples are effortless to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch piece, consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional markers, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. Note that head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four fundamental steps of processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is first entered into a lab's system. This phase entails confirming that the sample was securely sealed and transported correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial, rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally defensible. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require follow-up confirmation.
In cases where a sample is determined as presumptively positive during Screening, extra hair is retrieved from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other procedures (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening challenging to execute.
For any positive screening outcomes, Confirmation is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this procedure assesses the hair shaft, not the follicle under the skin.
Comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests reveals notable advantages in Hudson, IA. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy.
The reliability of hair tests is evident in their ability to identify drug use over a longer span, aiding in a more comprehensive analysis.
Employers in Hudson, IA benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing. It offers up to 90 days of drug use history.
This test gives employers a detailed view of an individual's substance use, crucial for making informed employment decisions.
One significant benefit of hair follicle testing in Hudson, IA is its resistance to tampering. The risk of sample adulteration is minimized.
This method ensures that the results are reliable and unquestionable, providing peace of mind concerning the integrity of the test.
Our convenient nationwide testing centers offer quick and hassle-free access to services in Hudson, IA. Availability is never an issue.
Whether local or national, our locations make testing readily available, ensuring a straightforward experience for all clients.
In Hudson, IA, the process for ordering and taking a hair follicle test is simple and confidential. Privacy concerns are addressed meticulously.
The test administration and result retrieval are designed for ease of use, prioritizing the client's comfort and privacy.
Companies of every size in Hudson, IA benefit from our competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times.
We offer excellent value, delivering peace of mind with every test, ensuring businesses can access quality services without financial strain.
In Hudson, IA, hair follicle drug testing is acknowledged for delivering fast and reliable results. The high accuracy of these tests is due to the meticulous detection technology used.
The precision of hair tests is unmatched when identifying substance use, making them a top choice for those seeking definitive results.
For employers in Hudson, IA, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks significantly.
By adopting hair testing, businesses can enhance workplace safety and ensure adherence to legal requirements.
