Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Seen as a strong method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing captures a long-term history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (about #2 pencil size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not feasible, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When we talk about head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test processing involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step, integrating a sample into the lab's system. It verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid check for drug misuse. While a cost-effective approach to negate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court acceptance. Any presumptive positive samples in Screening need secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for further Extraction. Drugs are then extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation of positive screening uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the complete lab process is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Advantages of Hair Over Urine Testing in Alba, MI highlight the superior detection capabilities of hair follicle tests. These tests offer accurate and reliable results, outperforming more traditional urine tests by demonstrating a longer detection period and reduced chances for tampering, elevating the confidence in the outcomes.
Extended Detection with Hair Testing in Alba, MI offers an extensive observation window of up to 90 days. This generous timeframe allows employers to thoroughly assess an individual's substance use history, offering a comprehensive view of their behavior over months rather than days.
Tamper-Proof Hair Tests in Alba, MI offer significant advantages by minimizing the likelihood of sample adulteration. The reliable method provides results that are both dependable and indisputable, making it an ideal choice for maintaining integrity in drug testing.
Convenient Testing Center Access in Alba, MI highlights the availability of nationwide and local testing centers. The extensive network ensures that individuals and employers can easily access testing services without hassle, ensuring seamless and prompt service delivery.
Easy and Confidential Testing Process in Alba, MI makes the testing journey straightforward. By addressing privacy concerns and simplifying order and result retrieval processes, users can engage in testing with peace of mind and convenience.
Competitive Pricing in Alba, MI ensures that companies of all sizes benefit from excellent value. Affordable rates coupled with speedy turnaround times provide clients with reassurance and cost-effectiveness in their drug testing needs.
Fast and Accurate Testing in Alba, MI is essential for reliable results, and hair follicle tests deliver just that. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy, ensuring high precision when detecting substance use. With their quick processing, results are provided in a timely manner, making them crucial for urgent drug testing needs.
Employers' Compliance and Security in Alba, MI is enhanced by adopting hair follicle testing methods. These tests uphold workplace drug-free standards, mitigated legal risks, and improved safety, ensuring compliance is met and peace of mind is achieved.