Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the threads of developing hair, it offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use. When collected near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal drug or alcohol use within an approximately 90-day window. The collection process is straightforward, it is not easily tampered with, and it can be conveniently shipped.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, provides about 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. It's suggested to assess the weight of the specimen with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair are specifically about scalp hair. Body hair refers to all types of hair other than scalp hair (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Synopsis
The main stages in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves logging the sample into the laboratory's system. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing entries not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial quick test for substance misuse. Though it's a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples that test positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves withdrawing drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Pros of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
The preference for hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing in Maple Heights, OH, by providing superior detection capabilities. Hair tests boast longer detection durations and increased reliability, demonstrating a clear advantage.
This method offers employers a more dependable assessment of an individual's drug use history.
Maple Heights, OH, benefits from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This enables employers to gain a deeper understanding of an employee's or applicant's drug history.
Such an extended timeline allows for a thorough evaluation of past substance use, aiding in informed decision-making.
Hair follicle testing in Maple Heights, OH, stands out by minimizing the potential for sample tampering, providing trustworthy results without compromise.
This method guarantees an authentic reflection of an individual's substance use, supporting fair assessments.
Convenient testing facilities are available nationwide, including Maple Heights, OH, for seamless access to drug testing services.
Our comprehensive network ensures quick and effortless access to necessary testing services without delays.
Maple Heights, OH, offers a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing, ensuring privacy and ease during all stages, from ordering to receiving results.
Individuals can trust the process's simplicity and confidentiality, easing any privacy concerns.
Affordable pricing and swift turnaround times characterize hair follicle testing in Maple Heights, OH, ensuring cost-effectiveness and prompt results for businesses of all sizes.
These benefits help businesses manage budgets while maintaining efficient drug testing procedures.
In Maple Heights, OH, hair follicle tests offer fast and precise results, ensuring outstanding accuracy in substance detection. Swift turnaround times make this method highly reliable for various needs.
Employers favor this method for its consistent accuracy and quick results that aid in maintaining safe workplaces.
Employers in Maple Heights, OH, achieve compliance and tranquility using hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
This testing reinforces workplace safety and legal compliance, providing employers with valuable peace of mind.
