Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized as an effective means for detecting alcohol and drug consumption, hair testing offers an extended history by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands. When collected close to the scalp, hair offers insight into alcohol and drug use for up to about a 3-month detection span. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result follows four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for drug abuse signs. While it's a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, positive screens require confirmation for court admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
In cases where Screening indicates a presumptively positive result, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are used for confirming any positive screen results. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Algodones, NM, hair follicle testing emerges as the superior option over traditional urine tests. The key advantages are rooted in its enhanced detection accuracy and the reliability of its results, which stand unmatched.
Benefits:Hair follicle testing excels in its ability to capture drug use over a lengthy period, typically up to 90 days. This extends the understanding of an individual's substance use history significantly.
Hair follicle testing in Algodones, NM, offers a robust defense against sample tampering, a significant advantage for accuracy and reliability.
With accessible testing centers nationwide and locally in Algodones, NM, undergoing a hair follicle test is a streamlined process.
The hair follicle testing process in Algodones, NM, is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing concerns over privacy and facilitating ease of use.
In Algodones, NM, the hair follicle testing service stands out for its competitive pricing structure and swift turnaround, providing excellent value.
The hair follicle drug test system is renowned for its precision and promptness, providing unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use. In Algodones, NM, this technology ensures that results are fast and reliable, representing a pinnacle in drug testing methodologies.
Ensuring workplace drug-free policies compliance has never been easier than with hair follicle testing in Algodones, NM. This approach reduces the risk of non-compliance and enhances safety protocols.
