Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a pivotal method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair exhibits a prolonged timeline of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands’ fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and various drugs. This method is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplemental requests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing process within a lab comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary incorporation of a specimen into the lab’s framework. This process confirms that the sample remains intact and was transported correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input not already captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a swift initial evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening effectively excludes drug presence in most samples cost-efficiently, a positive outcome requires validation to be legally admissible. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive at the Screening point, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at markedly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging process to execute.
Positive screening findings undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Every presumptive positive specimen is cleansed as necessary before confirmation. From Accessioning through to Confirmation, the whole laboratory procedure is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Westside, IA is a question many ask. The answer lies in its advanced benefits over traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers a larger detection window, increasing the accuracy in noticing drug use.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing ensures a more reliable outcome, cutting down on false negatives. This guarantees a clearer picture of an individual's substance history, benefiting employers immensely.
Extended Detection Window in Westside, IA highlights the key strength of hair follicle testing. For up to 90 days, it detects drug use, offering more comprehensive insights than other methods.
Employers can gain a detailed understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug history, thanks to this extended timeframe, helping them make informed decisions confidently and effectively.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method employed in Westside, IA is what makes hair follicle tests stand out. It significantly lowers the chances of adulteration, thus delivering unquestionable and reliable results.
This method eliminates the risks that come with tampering, ensuring that tests are fair, precise, and dependable at every step of the process.
Our services in Westside, IA, and beyond focus on Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations. With numerous centers, accessing drug testing becomes a quick and hassle-free experience.
Whether local or national, our testing centers cater to various needs, ensuring that you have easy access to reliable testing services whenever required.
The process in Westside, IA is Simple and Confidential, ensuring utmost privacy. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are straightforward, easing any concerns about privacy and complexity.
From ordering the tests to receiving results, every step is designed to be secure and user-friendly, guaranteeing confidentiality and simplicity throughout the testing journey.
When it comes to Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Westside, IA, our services excel. Our competitive pricing structures coupled with quick result times offer great value and peace of mind for companies.
No matter the size of your organization, our pricing and service efficiency ensure that all employers can benefit from reliable drug testing solutions economically.
For those in Westside, IA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results, outperforming traditional methods. The precision in detecting substance use is unmatched, providing a detailed insight into the user's history.
The high accuracy of hair follicle testing ensures that results are trustworthy and timely, minimizing any waiting period significantly. This precise method promptly reveals any substance usage, giving you confidence in the results.
In Westside, IA, ensuring compliance and providing peace of mind for employers is critical, and hair follicle testing achieves this efficiently. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, it minimizes legal risks while enhancing safety.
Using hair testing as a cornerstone of your drug-free workplace policy guarantees adherence to regulations and assures a secure environment for all employees.
