Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow. When clipped from near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tampering-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising about 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the prime amount for assessment and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests over 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is encouraged. Where scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. “Head hair” refers exclusively to scalp hair, while “body hair” denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in a laboratory's processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage of integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This step confirms the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for drug presence. Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screening mandates verification for court acceptability. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a secondary verification.
For samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, hair yields drugs at substantially lowered concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a highly challenging methodology.
Verification of any positive screening results employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed “hair follicle tests”, the assessment focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair Testing vs. Urine Testing in Davenport, ND reveals the clear advantages of hair follicle tests. While traditional urine tests provide limited detection windows, hair testing excels in longevity and accuracy. Employers benefit from superior detection precision, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Extended Detection Window is a significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Davenport, ND. Unlike other methods, hair testing monitors drug use up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual’s history. Employers gain a fuller understanding of substance use patterns over time.
Tamper-Resistant Testing in Davenport, ND through hair follicle examinations significantly lowers the chance of sample contamination. The process ensures accurate and indisputable results for both employers and test takers, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the evaluations.
Convenient Testing Centers span nationwide, including Davenport, ND, allowing easy access to hair follicle drug tests. Our extensive network facilitates hassle-free testing, ensuring quick and efficient service across all localities.
Simple and Confidential Process guarantees ease of use in Davenport, ND. From ordering to results, the entire procedure remains straightforward and private, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
Affordable and Fast Turnaround characterize our services in Davenport, ND. Competitive pricing paired with quick result times provides exceptional value for businesses of all sizes, offering peace of mind.
Speedy and Precise Outcomes are what make hair follicle drug testing stand out in Davenport, ND. The superior accuracy of these tests aids in reliable detection of substance use. Results are delivered in a timely manner, ensuring stakeholders receive fast and trustworthy outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind is attainable for Davenport, ND employers with hair follicle testing. Enforcing drug-free workplace policies becomes more manageable, reducing potential legal challenges and promoting a safer working environment.
