Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective approach for detecting substance use, encompassing both drugs and alcohol. Hair strands offer an extended historical record of substance intake by entrapment of biomarkers within their growing fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide up to about a three-month timeframe for identifying alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), cut closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair explicitly mean scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The quartet of steps crucial in the lab processing of a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This comprises ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data input that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening entails a preliminary, swift evaluation for prevalent drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient mechanism to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be accepted in legal proceedings. Samples that return presumptive positive results during Screening mandate a follow-up confirmation.
In cases where a sample yields a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluids), attributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
A confirmed positive screening outcome undergoes analysis by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, spanning from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Remark: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Hunter, KS surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. The extended detection period allows it to identify substances used long before urine tests would. Furthermore, hair tests tend to avoid the common pitfalls associated with urine tests, such as short detection windows and sample tampering.
This method offers superior accuracy, as it is less affected by momentary abstinence or dilution tactics, providing employers a better tool for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
In Hunter, KS, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that stretches up to 90 days. This extensive range provides a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance usage history, which is invaluable for employers when assessing the reliability of an employee or applicant.
By availing of this extensive detection timeline, employers can ensure they have a deeper insight into the consistent habits of individuals, ensuring higher workplace standards and safety.
A significant advantage of hair follicle tests in Hunter, KS, is their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, hair tests drastically reduce the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring the integrity of results.
The design and methodology of hair testing mean that external factors or manipulations hardly affect the results, providing confidence and certainty that the outcomes are genuine and reliable, solidifying their place as a trusted testing approach.
Enjoying the convenience of widespread nationwide testing centers, including local services in Hunter, KS, our hair follicle testing offers seamless access.
Employers and individuals benefit from quick and frictionless testing processes, ensuring that reliable drug testing is within reach without any hassle, thereby streamlining the onboarding and employee monitoring processes efficiently.
With a simple and confidential process in Hunter, KS, the hair follicle testing procedure ensures privacy and ease from ordering to receiving results.
This streamlined approach addresses key concerns about confidentiality and simplicity, giving individuals the assurance that their sensitive information is handled securely, minimizing any stress associated with the testing process.
In Hunter, KS, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing with rapid turnaround times, and businesses of all sizes gain excellent value.
By balancing cost-effectiveness with speed and reliability, we ensure that companies don't compromise on their drug testing needs, providing peace of mind and maintaining high safety standards efficiently and economically.
The swiftness and reliability of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in Hunter, KS. Providing prompt and precise results, these tests stand out due to their heightened accuracy in detecting various substances. This makes them an ideal choice for those seeking efficient drug-testing methods.
The ability to deliver fast results helps organizations make timely decisions, ensuring that businesses and institutions maintain their standards without delay.
Employers in Hunter, KS achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing potential legal risks and fostering a safer environment.
Through diligent and careful screening processes, businesses can maintain robust standards while ensuring that their workplace remains productive and safe, enhancing overall organizational effectiveness and harmony.
