Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection time frame of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a suggested amount is 150mg of the specimen. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair could be collected. When referencing head hair, it means scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four central steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. It involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary swift examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in legal proceedings. Any samples that result as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Walnut Shade, MO, outperforms traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy. With a longer detection window, this method proves to be more reliable, making it an ideal choice over more conventional urine testing.
Employers in Walnut Shade, MO, value hair follicle testing for its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This method provides an in-depth understanding of an individual’s substance history, offering a broader timeline compared to other testing methods.
Hair follicle tests in Walnut Shade, MO, provide a tamper-resistant method of drug screening. The integrity of the process ensures that results are reliable and difficult to manipulate, significantly reducing the risk of adulteration commonly faced with other testing methods.
Convenience is key in Walnut Shade, MO, where nationwide and local testing facilities provide fast, accessible services. This network of locations guarantees easy access to testing, ensuring a hassle-free process for clients everywhere.
The hair follicle testing process in Walnut Shade, MO, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the emphasis on privacy and simplicity makes it an ideal choice for those concerned with a seamless and discreet testing experience.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times define hair follicle testing in Walnut Shade, MO. This cost-effective approach ensures value and prompt results, catering to businesses of all sizes looking for efficient and reliable testing solutions.
In Walnut Shade, MO, hair follicle testing is celebrated for its speed and unmatched accuracy. This method ensures swift detection of substances, providing quick, reliable results. Its high precision makes it the preferred choice for those seeking uncompromising outcomes in substance use detection.
For employers in Walnut Shade, MO, hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances safety, offering peace of mind through an effective and compliant testing approach.
