Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The perception of hair testing as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption has grown. Hair locks in biomarkers within its fibers, providing a prolonged record of substance use. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal evidence of alcohol and drug usage for up to about 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A specimen of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp is ideal, yielding about 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and any test exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar mass of body hair can be used. References to head hair exclusively imply scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of drug test results consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially incorporated into the laboratory system. This stage ensures the sample is properly sealed and dispatched. A unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and supplementary data entry is completed as necessary beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.
In the Screening phase, there’s an initial brief assessment for common drugs. Screening is an economical approach to eliminating drug usage in most specimens, but a positive result needs subsequent verification to be court-admissible. Samples that presumptively return positive results in Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is selected from the original sample for the Extraction phase. At this step, drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging process to execute.
Positive preliminary results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of all presumptive positive samples is performed before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," these assess the hair strand and not the root beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Tests Triumph Over Urine Testing in Vista, MO
Compared to conventional urine tests, hair follicle testing delivers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Vista, MO, sees the benefits in its enhanced efficacy, which helps detect drug use more accurately over a longer timeframe, reducing the risks of false negatives often associated with urine tests.
Further Advantages of Hair Testing
Employers and legal officials in Vista can trust hair tests for their extended detection capabilities and minimal chances of manipulation, ensuring a transparent and genuine result, unlike urine tests that may be subjected to tampering.
Comprehensive Detection in Vista, MO
Hair follicle testing offers a much broader detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This extended timeline is instrumental in providing employers a deeper understanding of an individual's substance history, an invaluable resource in Vista, MO, for hiring and workplace decision-making.
Looking Beyond Short-Term Use
With its lengthy detection period, hair testing gives employers insight into long-term substance patterns, offering a more complete view than other methods and ensuring informed decisions regarding employee substance use history in Vista.
Tamper-Proof Testing in Vista, MO
The integrity of hair follicle testing is unmatched, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. In Vista, this reliability ensures tests are genuine and trustworthy, making it a critical tool in law enforcement and workplace environments.
Unquestionable Results Every Time
By diminishing the possibility of tampering, hair follicle tests deliver exact and dependable results, which is vital for maintaining trust and compliance in various professional and legal applications in Vista, MO.
Convenient Testing Locations in Vista, MO
Accredited Drug Testing's network of nationwide centers ensures residents of Vista, MO, have swift and easy access to testing services, making it a seamless process.
Local and Nationwide Reach
From local branches to nationwide centers, our services are designed to cater to the needs of Vista's population, providing quick, efficient, and hassle-free drug testing access.
Simple and Confidential Process in Vista, MO
Hair follicle testing in Vista, MO, offers an easy and discreet process for ordering tests, collecting samples, and obtaining results, ensuring user privacy and confidentiality.
Streamlined for Your Convenience
Concerns about privacy are alleviated with our straightforward and secure protocol, ensuring individuals in Vista experience an unintrusive and effective drug testing journey.
Cost-Effective Solutions in Vista, MO
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround on results offer great value in hair testing services throughout Vista, MO, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can benefit from reliable drug testing without breaking the budget.
Value and Speed Combined
With affordable plans and rapid result delivery, we provide companies in Vista with exceptional service and peace of mind, guaranteeing prompt and cost-efficient processes.
Fast and Dependable Testing in Vista, MO
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and swiftness. In Vista, MO, the effectiveness of hair testing in detecting substance use is unrivaled. These tests provide not only accuracy but also timely results, making them a trusted choice for various applications.
Efficiency in Drug Detection
The high accuracy rates of hair follicle testing make it an excellent tool in the battle against substance abuse. Vista's residents and employers can rely on these tests for quick and exact results, enhancing the testing process's overall efficacy and reliability.
Upholding Standards for Employers in Vista, MO
Using hair follicle testing helps guarantee compliance with drug-free workplace policies, cutting down on legal risks while promoting safety and integrity among employees in Vista, MO.
Peace of Mind Assured
Employers achieve peace of mind knowing hair testing maintains a drug-free environment effectively and efficiently, aiding in risk mitigation and fostering a safe workplace culture in Vista.
