Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an instrumental method for detecting substance use. Providing an extended history of drug and alcohol consumption, hair captures biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When procured near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, manipulation is challenging, and shipment is hassle-free.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's width) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for accurate measurement. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result primarily includes these four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step in integrating a sample into a lab’s system. It involves verifying that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for drug abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Any sample testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitates further confirmation.
With a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence why hair drug screening is a challenging approach.
Confirmation of positive Screening results is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo requisite washing before confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests actually evaluate the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Varina, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in several ways. It is known for its superior detection accuracy, especially in revealing long-term substance use.
Benefits over urine tests:
In Varina, IA, hair follicle testing articulates a longer detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This extended period enables employers to acquire a detailed look into an individual's history of substance use.
With such a broad timeline, employers gain a comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee's behavior, aiding in more informed decision-making regarding hiring and ongoing employment.
Hair follicle testing in Varina, IA ensures tamper-resistant sample collection, greatly mitigating the risk of adulteration. Unlike other testing methods, manipulating hair samples is considerably difficult.
This integrity provides credible results, reinforcing trust in the testing process and ensuring that outcomes are both reliable and indisputable.
Our nationwide network ensures convenient testing locations, including Varina, IA, providing seamless access to our services.
Whether requiring tests locally or across the country, our centers are strategically placed to make the process quick and hassle-free, meeting the needs of individuals and organizations with efficiency and care.
In Varina, IA, our process for hair follicle testing is simple and respects client confidentiality. Initiating orders, undergoing tests, and obtaining results are straightforward steps designed to maintain privacy.
The user-friendly approach minimizes concerns, fostering trust and ensuring a stress-free experience, thereby prioritizing discretion and ease for all participants.
Hair follicle testing in Varina, IA is marked by affordable pricing and swift results. Our competitive rates coupled with fast turnaround cater to businesses of varying sizes, underscoring our commitment to value.
Ensuring budget-friendly options alongside rapid results delivers reassurance and fosters confidence, making it an appealing choice for extensive substance testing needs.
The hair follicle drug test in Varina, IA stands out for its precision and rapidity. By analyzing hair samples, the test yields highly accurate results, effectively identifying the presence of substances with remarkable reliability.
Employers seeking fast and trustworthy outcomes will appreciate this method's ability to deliver results promptly. The precision of hair testing ensures all substance use is detected, providing peace of mind and actionable insights.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Varina, IA assures employers meet compliance standards. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal concerns.
Embracing such testing practices enhances safety and decreases risks. For businesses, this offers peace of mind, knowing that they are adhering to regulations while safeguarding employee welfare.
