Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to around three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of approximately 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term 'head hair' refers exclusively to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be suitable for court proceedings. Any samples that test presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptive positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial specimen for Extraction. In this process, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
Hair follicle testing stands superior to urine tests in Bath, SD for several reasons. Its longer detection window and reduced chance for tampering make it a reliable choice.
Hair testing offers an extended detection window, making it a preferred choice in Bath, SD. It provides an extensive history of substance use, spanning up to 90 days.
In Bath, SD, hair follicle tests are recognized for their tamper-resistant properties. The method significantly lowers the risk of sample adulteration.
Testing in Bath, SD is seamless with our extensive network of centers nationwide. This wide reach guarantees accessible and convenient testing locations.
Simplicity and confidentiality are cornerstones of hair follicle testing in Bath, SD. The process is straightforward, ensuring user privacy and ease of use.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, hair follicle testing in Bath, SD is an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
Speed and accuracy are hallmarks of hair follicle drug testing in Bath, SD. These tests excel in detecting substances with precision, providing results that are both fast and reliable.
For employers in Bath, SD, hair follicle testing facilitates compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks while promoting safety.
