Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand, hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate up to a three-month period of drug or alcohol usage. Its ease of collection, resistance to tampering, and straightforward shipping are notable advantages.
A sample approximately 1.5 inches long, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or over 10 panel testing, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is advisable to use a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' specifically means scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses other hair types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results includes four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirmation that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and input of any additional data not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening provides a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, to be valid in a legal setting, a positive screen must be confirmed. Any samples appearing positive during Screening mandate secondary confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation of positive screenings occurs using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is thoroughly evaluated per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, in addition to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Known as "hair follicle tests", these evaluations focus on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Thayer, IA
Hair follicle testing in Thayer, IA outpaces traditional urinalysis in several ways. With superior detection and reliability, these tests give a clearer picture of an individual's substance history, crucial for maintaining stringent workplace standards.
Extended Detection Window in Thayer, IA
One of the significant advantages in Thayer, IA of hair follicle tests is their extended detection range of up to 90 days, offering employers a detailed view of an individual's substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Thayer, IA
Hair follicle testing in Thayer, IA drastically minimizes the chances of test manipulation, providing consistent and trustworthy outcomes that are virtually tamper-proof.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Thayer, IA
Our network of testing centers across the country, including in Thayer, IA, ensures hassle-free and convenient access to hair follicle testing services wherever you are.
Simple, Confidential Process in Thayer, IA
The process for hair follicle testing in Thayer, IA is straightforward and private, from ordering to result delivery, addressing any privacy concerns users might have.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Thayer, IA
Offering competitive rates and speedy result processing, our hair follicle testing in Thayer, IA represents excellent value for businesses of any size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Thayer, IA
Experience the precision of hair follicle drug tests in Thayer, IA, recognized for their accuracy in substance detection. With rapid assessment capabilities, these tests deliver reliable results swiftly, ensuring employers make informed decisions.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Thayer, IA
Employers in Thayer, IA can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies by adopting hair follicle testing, thus reducing legal vulnerabilities and boosting workplace safety.
