Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a potent mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a protracted timeline of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection span for substances like alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to alter, and effortless to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically addressing scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair classifications (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The quartet of principal steps in the laboratory progression of a drug test outcome entails Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary procedure of incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This comprises checking the sample for secure sealing and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent in an automated chain of custody system.
Screening involves an introductory rapid assessment for substance misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening mandate a secondary validation.
Should a sample be tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other modalities (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Verification of any positive screening result is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as warranted. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Pros of hair drug testing:
Constraints:
Note: Though often dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Angier, NC demonstrates superior detection and reliability over urine tests.
Enhanced Detection AccuracyIn Angier, NC, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use history.
Comprehensive ViewHair follicle testing in Angier, NC is a tamper-resistant method, significantly lowering the chance of sample alteration.
Reliable Sample IntegrityIn Angier, NC, our drug testing centers across the nation ensure convenient access.
Wide ReachHair follicle testing in Angier, NC is a simple and confidential process.
Easy Ordering and TestingIn Angier, NC, competitive pricing and quick results make hair follicle testing a valuable choice for businesses.
Cost-Effective SolutionsHair follicle drug tests in Angier, NC offer remarkable speed and precision. They boast high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that individuals receive results rapidly while maintaining reliability.
Employers and individuals can benefit from the fast turnaround, minimizing downtime and ensuring efficient decision-making processes.
The accuracy involved in hair testing surpasses traditional methods, making it a trusted choice in modern substance use detection.
Employers in Angier, NC can enjoy peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies.
Compliance Assurance