Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair provides a long-term overview of alcohol and drug use. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send off.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. We recommend utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar amount of body hair is an alternative. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, and so on).
Process Overview
The key phases in the lab procedure of processing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning addresses the initial sample intake into the laboratory system. This involves checking that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any other necessary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen needs verification for court admissibility. Samples that are presumably positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entire laboratory protocol, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and bears accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself targets the hair strand and not the hair follicle under the scalp.
In Gibbs, MO, hair follicle testing provides a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. With its high detection accuracy and reliability, it outperforms urine tests.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing in Gibbs, MO boasts a longer drug detection window, making it the preferred choice for many organizations.
Employers in Gibbs, MO, enjoy a wider window of detection with hair follicle tests, capable of revealing drug use over a 90-day span.
The extended detection period of hair follicle tests in Gibbs, MO, offers employers a comprehensive insight into an individual’s past drug habits.
Hair follicle testing in Gibbs, MO, significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering, setting a standard for trustworthy test results.
By offering tamper-resistant testing methods, hair follicle tests in Gibbs, MO, ensure reliable outcomes that cannot be easily altered.
With testing centers nationwide, including Gibbs, MO, the ease of access to drug testing services is assured, offering convenience to all users.
Gibbs, MO, residents enjoy seamless, hassle-free testing experiences thanks to the widespread availability of testing locations.
In Gibbs, MO, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is simple and confidential, ensuring client privacy.
The confidential and straightforward procedure for hair follicle testing in Gibbs, MO, alleviates privacy concerns and emphasizes user-friendliness.
Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle tests in Gibbs, MO, provide excellent value with quick turnaround times for all companies.
Businesses of all sizes in Gibbs, MO, benefit from affordable hair follicle testing, receiving reliable results promptly.
The precision of hair follicle tests ensures accurate results every time in Gibbs, MO. By detecting even the smallest substance traces, these tests offer unmatched reliability in identifying drug use.
In Gibbs, MO, rapid diagnostic processes accompany the accuracy of hair follicle testing, allowing quick turnaround for results without compromising precision.
Employers in Gibbs, MO, find peace of mind in using hair follicle tests, as they help uphold drug-free workplace policies and enhance legal compliance.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Gibbs, MO, allows companies to maintain a safe, compliant work environment, reducing legal risks.