Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal a long-term pattern of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collecting hair samples from near the scalp offers an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. The process of hair collection is straightforward, generally tamper-resistant, and the samples are easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation tests. For tests examining EtG, additional screenings, or those involving more than 10 panels, a larger specimen of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to use a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Processing a drug test result in the laboratory includes four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the stage where a sample is initially entered into the laboratory's system. This step entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening is a preliminary step that swiftly checks for drug abuse. While this step is a budget-friendly means to dismiss drug use in most samples, confirmed results are necessary for legal purposes. Any sample suspected of being positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.
If Screening suggests a potential positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and ready for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from the hair at considerably lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of preliminary positive results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. If required, all samples with a presumptive positive result undergo washing before confirmation. The overall process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is performed under the stringent guidelines of both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Oriskany, NY? Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability. They not only cover a broader substance-detection window but also ensure a more dependable readout, besting traditional urine approaches.
Employers in Oriskany, NY benefit significantly from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. This method can trace drug use over a period of up to 90 days, offering comprehensive substance history insights of employees or candidates alike.
In Oriskany, NY, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing is invaluable. It reduces the possibility of sample adulteration significantly, guaranteeing that results remain consistent and beyond dispute.
With numerous nationwide testing centers, including local facilities in Oriskany, NY, accessing our services is quick and hassle-free. Clients experience convenience unparalleled, with testing centers accessible across the country.
Hair follicle testing in Oriskany, NY is straightforward and respects your privacy. The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results is seamless, ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed.
Affordability doesn't compromise on quality in Oriskany, NY. Our competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround deliver substantial value to businesses of any size, ensuring peace of mind.
In Oriskany, NY, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and unmatched precision. It offers highly reliable detection of substance use, allowing individuals and organizations to depend on precise results quickly.
Employers in Oriskany, NY achieve compliance effortlessly with hair follicle testing. This method supports drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities while reinforcing safety standards across the organization.