Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can hold a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair shaft. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer an approximate detection timeframe of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A 1.5-inch snippet of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair can't be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair classifications (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This involves ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data recording absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial quick assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening acts as an economical way to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for court acceptance. Any sample that tests potentially positive in Screening does necessitate further confirmation.
In cases where a sample tests potentially positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to carry out.
The confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Every potentially positive sample is cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The whole lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the recognition of ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When it comes to drug testing in Upton, KY, hair follicle testing excels over traditional urine testing. It offers superior detection accuracy, boasting a much longer detection period that can go up to 90 days. Reliability is another crucial factor, as hair samples provide more consistent results than urine samples.
The meticulous collection process for hair tests further boosts their credibility, making them hard to cheat.
In Upton, KY, one of the main advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. While urine tests detect drug use within a short timeframe, hair testing provides insight into substance use over a potential 90-day period.
In Upton, KY, hair follicle tests are renowned for being a tamper-resistant testing method. This process significantly lowers the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring the reliability of results.
Because hair samples are taken directly from the body, the risk of substitution or contamination is minimal. This solidifies the integrity of the drug testing process, offering peace of mind for employers who rely on these results for critical decisions.
For residents of Upton, KY, hair follicle testing offers unparalleled convenience with accessible nationwide centers. Local locations ensure quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services, eliminating unnecessary travel and waiting times.
In Upton, KY, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step ensures privacy and user-friendliness.
Concerns about ease of use are addressed through streamlined steps that guide participants through a straightforward testing journey.
Confidential handling of samples and results guarantees privacy, building trust in the drug testing system.
Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Upton, KY delivers value to companies of every size. Our competitive fee structure ensures that quality testing is within reach, without breaking the budget.
Clients can rest assured with quick result dispatches that allow for timely decision-making.
Hair follicle drug testing in Upton, KY stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. Compared to other methods, the speed at which these tests provide results is impressive, allowing for timely decisions. The accuracy of hair testing is unparalleled, ensuring that substance use is detected with high precision, minimizing the risks of false negatives.
This enhanced accuracy keeps employers informed and confident in the results.
Employers in Upton, KY can achieve greater compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, the potential for legal risks is substantially reduced.
With hair testing, employers gain confidence in enforcing safety measures, contributing to an overall safer work environment. The method's accuracy and comprehensive results aid in maintaining a robust workplace policy.
