Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides a prolonged history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. Hair collected near the scalp can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) positioned closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four critical stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the stage where a sample is first processed into a lab’s system. It involves verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective strategy to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require an additional confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair testing in Fort Edward, NY, outshines urine testing in terms of sensitivity and reliability. Superior detection accuracy is one reason businesses prefer it.
An observed collection method minimizes tampering, enhancing its reliability. Longer detection periods also give it a clear advantage over urine tests.
For a comprehensive view of substance history, hair follicle tests in Fort Edward, NY, offer extensive detection up to 90 days.
This prolonged window aids employers in assessing drug use beyond recent history, offering a fuller picture for decisions on hires and current employees.
Fort Edward, NY's hair follicle testing provides a robust solution against sample tampering, delivering trustworthy results.
Due to the test's nature, it stands as an unquestionable method, reducing risks of result manipulation significantly.
With widespread testing centers, including Fort Edward, NY, accessing hassle-free testing services is beyond easy.
Our nationwide locations ensure swift support, providing an efficient experience for all clients needing drug testing.
Fort Edward, NY's simple hair testing process ensures confidentiality and ease from ordering to receiving results.
Clients are assured of privacy, with straightforward steps, meeting concerns over the discreteness of testing procedures.
In Fort Edward, NY, our competitive pricing ensures affordability across businesses of all sizes.
Strong pricing structures are paired with quick turnaround times, delivering exceptional value and peace of mind to companies.
In Fort Edward, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and precision. High accuracy in determining substance use makes them a preferred choice.
With advanced testing technology, these tests yield quick and dependable results. This reliability is crucial for employers needing prompt information.
For employers in Fort Edward, NY, adhering to drug-free policies is seamless with hair follicle testing. Ensure compliance with workplace regulations.
Minimize legal risks effectively by adopting this testing method, contributing to a safer work environment.
