Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an influential means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair shaft. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drug exposure. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, deemed the optimal sample for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We recommend gauging the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in the laboratory processing of drug test results encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This encompasses validating that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening comprises a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive indication necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples presumed positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation when required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Merits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand not the follicle beneath the scalp.
For those in Sugar Grove, OH, choosing hair follicle testing over urine tests provides enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests cover a more extended detection range, surpassing the limitations of urine tests. This ensures employers and legal entities have a clearer view of substance use incidents.
The extensive detection window of hair follicle testing in Sugar Grove, OH, offers significant benefits. By identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, employers gain a holistic perspective on an employee or candidate’s substance use history, fostering better-informed decisions.
In Sugar Grove, OH, the hair follicle testing process is designed to minimize the chances of tampering. This secure method provides unquestionable results, ensuring that tampering risks are effectively mitigated, establishing a trustworthy testing process.
Convenience defines the testing experience in Sugar Grove, OH, with our nationwide and local testing locations. This vast network guarantees hassle-free access to testing services, with the assurance of prompt and efficient service in every center.
In Sugar Grove, OH, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential. Our straightforward procedures address privacy concerns, ensuring ease of use and reliability for all participants.
Affordable pricing and swift turnaround times characterize our hair follicle testing in Sugar Grove, OH. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from our competitive rates and the value offered, while expecting prompt and accurate results.
In Sugar Grove, OH, hair follicle drug tests are acclaimed for their precision in detecting substance use. The speed of results, coupled with high accuracy, ensures that this method outshines other testing processes. Employers and individuals can rely on the dependable outcomes within a swift time frame.
For employers in Sugar Grove, OH, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method decreases legal risks, enhances workplace safety, and provides peace of mind by adhering to strict regulatory standards.
