Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timespan of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample of about 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg, which is the ideal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to have 150mg of the specimen. It's recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. Head hair refers strictly to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the first processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary quick examination for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-effective means of excluding drug use in most samples, but a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is potentially positive in the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting challenges that make hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to deliver.
To confirm any positive screening outcome, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. All seemingly positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referenced as "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing in Carver, KY, offers greater accuracy and reliability. Hair tests detect drug use over a more extended period, ensuring a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. This method effectively identifies long-term patterns of use, helping employers maintain integrity and safety in the workplace.
Hair follicle testing presents an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. In Carver, KY, employers benefit from insights into an individual's substance history, facilitating informed hiring and management decisions. This broader timeframe ensures a thorough assessment, integral for maintaining a drug-free work environment.
Hair follicle testing in Carver, KY, offers a tamper-resistant method, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. Its reliability ensures trustworthy results, crucial for employers needing definitive proof of substance use. This test’s robust processes safeguard against manipulation, supporting a secure testing environment.
Carver, KY, residents enjoy the convenience of nationwide testing locations alongside local centers. Accredited Drug Testing ensures hassle-free and efficient access to hair follicle testing services, streamlining the process with easy, quick, and comprehensive support, making substance screening accessible nationwide and locally.
In Carver, KY, accessing hair follicle testing services is simple and confidential. The streamlined process, from order to result delivery, prioritizes privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. Clients can efficiently receive accurate readings without compromising their personal information, facilitating a stress-free testing experience.
Carver, KY, offers affordable pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Competitive rates coupled with quick results provide excellent value for companies of all sizes. Businesses can rely on cost-effective testing solutions while receiving timely outcomes, supporting strategic human resource management.
In Carver, KY, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. They provide unmatched precision in detecting substances, assuring employers of trustworthy outcomes. Hair tests rapidly process samples, offering results promptly, enabling businesses to make informed decisions swiftly and effectively, maintaining workplace integrity.
Utilizing hair follicle tests for workplace drug screening in Carver, KY, assures compliance with drug-free policies, reducing legal risks. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that drug use is efficiently monitored, enhancing the safety and productivity of their teams with reliable results and a structured approach.
