Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When acquired near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A sample of approximately 1.5 inches, involving about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be procured, a comparable amount of body hair may be gathered. When referencing head hair, it pertains to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This procedure includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening features an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While it offers a cost-efficient means to negate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be valid for court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.
Following a presumptively positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology to execute.
To authenticate any positive screening outcome, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. All samples that screen positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests are favored over urine tests in Lincoln, IA due to their superior detection capabilities. They offer a more comprehensive screening over a longer period making it difficult to bypass results.
Hair tests excel over traditional urine tests by providing a reliable history of substance use in a 90-day window, offering unparalleled detection accuracy vital for workplace safety and compliance.
For those in Lincoln, IA, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use history over 90 days. This offers employers deep insights into employee substance habits.
Hair testing outshines other methods by offering detection for a prolonged period, offering a thorough view of substance use and helping employers maintain a substance-free workplace.
Lincoln, IA trusts hair follicle tests for their tamper-resistant nature. The method minimizes sample adulteration risks, thus ensuring unquestionable and accurate results.
Hair testing’s resistance to tampering in Lincoln reinforces its reliability, eliminating many common challenges faced by other drug testing methods.
With convenient testing facilities nationwide and locally in Lincoln, IA, hair follicle testing offers easy access. This ensures swift and hassle-free service for all users.
The widespread availability of testing centers in Lincoln underscores the convenience and accessibility of hair drug testing, making it a simple choice for reliable results.
Lincoln, IA's hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. Users appreciate the simplicity from ordering tests to receiving results, with complete privacy assurance.
By emphasizing ease and confidentiality, Lincoln's hair testing process addresses privacy concerns while remaining efficient and user-friendly, reassurring clients of their privacy.
Hair follicle testing in Lincoln, IA is known for not only its quick turnaround but competitive pricing, offering substantial value without compromising on quality.
With affordable pricing and fast results, Lincoln’s hair drug testing provides businesses with an excellent balance of cost-effectiveness and reliable service for all sizes of organisations.
In Lincoln, IA, hair follicle drug testing is fast and incredibly precise. The accuracy of these tests ensures reliable detection of substance use, delivering results swiftly, making it highly efficient compared to other methods.
Hair follicle testing's swift processing speed means individuals and companies enjoy timely access to results, reinforcing its standing as a reliable and quick option for detecting drug use in Lincoln.
Employers in Lincoln, IA benefit greatly from hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety.
By implementing hair testing, Lincoln employers gain peace of mind, knowing they're compliant with drug regulations while maintaining a safer, more productive environment.
