Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. It offers a prolonged record of substance use by capturing biomarkers along the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can detect substances for roughly a 3-month time frame for alcohol and other drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair segment consisting of around 200 strands (nearly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal amount for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 categories, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be lacking, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it is specifically scalp hair, while body hair refers to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The essential phases in the lab evaluation of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample in the lab's system. This entails confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse indicators. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive result must be affirmed to stand in court. Samples that initially test positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
When a screening test indicates a potential positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further Extraction. During this stage, substances are drawn from hair at a significantly lower density than in other procedures (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
Positive screening results are confirmed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all samples with potential positive findings are cleansed as necessary. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the lab procedure is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually assesses the hair shaft and not the follicle below the scalp.
In Lawler, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests with its superior detection accuracy. Hair testing offers a reliable alternative, providing a longer detection window and minimizing the chance of sample tampering, unlike urine tests which are limited in scope and duration.
One major advantage of hair follicle analyses in Lawler, IA, is their extended detection window. These tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, offering employers a detailed view of an applicant or employee’s substance habits, enhancing their decision-making process.
Hair follicle evaluations in Lawler, IA, offer a tamper-resistant testing approach. This method virtually eliminates sample adulteration, ensuring that the results obtained are reliable and trustworthy, critical for maintaining the integrity of the testing process.
Our testing services in Lawler, IA, benefit from convenient nationwide locations and local centers, ensuring seamless access to testing. Accredited Drug Testing’s extensive network of centers allows for effortless and hassle-free scheduling for all testing needs with guaranteed ease.
In Lawler, IA, the process to order, undertake, and obtain hair follicle drug test outcomes is both simple and confidential. Adopting this method alleviates privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use, fostering a straightforward testing experience from start to finish.
Our services in Lawler, IA, feature affordable pricing coupled with rapid turnaround times, delivering outstanding value for organizations regardless of size. We are committed to providing efficient solutions that meet the needs of companies without compromising quality.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug evaluations make them standout choices in Lawler, IA. These tests detect substance use with high accuracy, providing dependable results swiftly. Fast and accurate outcomes make hair tests superior to traditional methods, offering reliable insights for decision-makers.
By using hair follicle testing in Lawler, IA, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free policies, fostering a safer and more secure workplace. This method not only reduces legal risks but also provides peace of mind for employers seeking compliance with safety standards.
