Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The practice of hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands preserve a record of drug and alcohol use over time by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers as they grow. When taken close to the head, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, is less prone to tampering, and is uncomplicated to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hairs (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, will yield a sample weighing 100mg, which is perfect for both screening and confirming tests. For EtG tests, additional tests, and/or screens above 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, the equivalent amount of hair from the body is acceptable. Head hair is specifically referred to as scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory technique for processing a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where the sample is initially introduced into a laboratory's framework. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is used to quickly detect possible drug use. Although it's a budget-friendly manner to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be validated for legal acceptability. Any samples that yield tentatively positive results during Screening need subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample return a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is gathered for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are pulled from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleaned prior to confirmation if needed. The full procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is checked under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: These tests, sometimes termed as "hair follicle tests", actually examine the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mount Washington, KY
In comparing hair follicle tests to more traditional urine tests, it becomes evident that hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability. By examining hair samples, a broader detection window captures a wider spectrum of substance use, granting employers a robust assurance of evaluating potential or current staff without compromising on precision.
Extended Detection Window in Mount Washington, KY
Hair follicle testing offers a wide detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers in Mount Washington a thorough review of an individual’s substance usage history. This extended tracking capability arms employers with critical insights into the long-term substance habits of applicants or employees, fostering an informed decision-making process.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mount Washington, KY
Hair follicle testing provides a robust defense against sample adulteration, minimizing the risk of tampering. Conducted under strict observed conditions, hair tests offer a higher degree of reliability, making it nearly impossible to substitute or alter the sample, and delivering unquestionable results that serve as trustworthy evidence.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mount Washington, KY
Our extensive network of convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in Mount Washington assures an effortless and quick testing experience. The accessibility of our centers simplifies the process, eliminating inconvenience and delay, and supporting the prompt delivery of necessary testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Mount Washington, KY
Ordering and conducting hair follicle tests in Mount Washington is straightforward and discretely managed. Ensuring privacy and ease of use, our services guarantee a seamless experience from the very first step to receiving results. Participants can trust the confidentiality of the process, focusing on its simplicity and efficacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mount Washington, KY
Our competitive pricing and quick response times make hair follicle testing an excellent value for enterprises in Mount Washington. By delivering test results swiftly and economically, we guarantee peace of mind and comprehensive drug screening solutions that are budget-friendly for businesses of any scope.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mount Washington, KY
The hair follicle drug testing method in Mount Washington offers impressive speed and accuracy, ensuring rapid results that ascertain substance use with pinpoint precision. Their swift turnaround times make them a preferred option for efficiently resolving concerns of substance abuse, quickly delivering dependable and thorough outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mount Washington, KY
Employing hair follicle tests aligns with workplace drug-free policies, securing compliance and safeguarding against legal entanglements. With reduced risks and enhanced workplace safety, employers in Mount Washington can operate with confidence, assured that their measures to deter substance abuse are both effective and respected.
