Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a formidable method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a historical archive of alcohol and drug presence by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Gathering hair is straightforward, challenging to adulterate, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advised. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. When addressing head hair, we refer to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory evaluation of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step involves ensuring the sample was sealed and transported appropriately, attributing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to discount drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation before it is permissible in legal contexts. Samples indicated as positive in Screening necessitate subsequent verification.
If a sample indicates positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation where necessary. The overall laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test itself analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Doniphan, KS Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window captures a larger spectrum of drug use over time, which urine tests often miss. This ensures a more complete and trustworthy overview of an individual's substance history, invaluable to those prioritizing comprehensive analysis.
Extended Detection Window in Doniphan, KS Utilizing hair follicle testing unlocks the advantage of a prolonged detection span, reaching up to 90 days, to reveal drug use occurrences. This span allows employers a thorough inspection into an applicant's or employee's history, providing a broad perspective well beyond the capability of standard urine tests. This aids in making informed hiring and monitoring choices.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Doniphan, KS Hair follicle tests stand as a robust shield against sample manipulation, ensuring results remain reliable and undisputable. Due to the nature of sample collection and analysis, the risk of adulteration is significantly lowered, offering peace of mind that the results are both legitimate and consistent, reassuring all stakeholders involved.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Doniphan, KS Accredited Drug Testing offers accessible testing facilities nationwide, making it simple to find a location that suits your needs. Whether in Doniphan or elsewhere, our centers provide quick and efficient service, ensuring hassle-free testing access and consistent results throughout every step of the process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Doniphan, KS The hair follicle testing process is designed for ease and confidentiality. From order placement to result retrieval, every step is handled discreetly, protecting your privacy. This straightforward process ensures comfort and simplicity for all parties, allowing focus to remain on what truly matters—accurate results.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Doniphan, KS Our competitive pricing models alongside speedy result delivery offer exceptional value for companies, irrespective of size. With quick turnaround times, rest assured your testing needs will be met promptly, providing both economic efficiency and mental assurance through quality service.
Fast and Accurate Results in Doniphan, KS Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift outcomes while maintaining exceptional precision. This testing method is renowned for its ability to accurately detect a broad range of substances, ensuring reliable results in less time compared to other testing methods. With speed and accuracy, professionals and employers can depend on these tests for critical decision-making.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Doniphan, KS Harnessing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free standards, significantly reducing the potential for legal complications. By choosing this method, employers enhance their workplace safety and create a trustworthy environment, providing peace of mind through reliable and accurate substance use assessments.
