Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture a detailed record of alcohol and drugs over time by embedding biomarkers within their growing fibers. When obtained from near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug usage over a period of roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches long, consisting of approximately 200 strands (about a #2 pencil's girth) from the scalp area, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal intake for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to determine the weight of the specimen. If scalp hair is not present, a corresponding quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was securely sealed and transported correctly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening economically rules out drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal purposes. Any samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening need follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. This stage extracts drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is notoriously challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples believed to be positive undergo washing before confirmation, as warranted. The laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparatively, hair follicle testing offers distinctive advantages over urine tests in Morningside, SD. While urine tests might miss past substance use, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of an individual's history, capturing what urine tests may not.
With the potential to uncover drug use history up to 90 days prior, hair tests offer employers in Morningside a detailed substance profile, strengthening drug policy enforcement while providing a high level of detection precision.
In Morningside, SD, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is unparalleled, revealing drug use up to 90 days prior. Employers benefit from understanding the long-term habits of employees or candidates, enabling informed decisions.
This extended insight provides a thorough view into substance use patterns, assisting organizations in maintaining a safe and drug-free environment through reliable screening practices.
Hair follicle testing in Morningside, SD effectively diminishes the scope for sample tampering. This method ensures integrity, given that it is conducted under supervision and leaves little room for manipulation, leading to results that are unquestionable and consistent.
This testing advantage promotes reliability, ensuring that the outcomes reflect true substance use and fostering confidence in the testing process.
Nationwide testing locations including Morningside, SD offer tremendous convenience. Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility, providing seamless, hassle-free service for hair follicle tests across numerous sites, facilitating ease of access.
These extensive centers reduce wait times and expedite the testing process, catering to both organizational needs and individual requirements efficiently and effectively.
In Morningside, SD, the hair follicle testing process is simple and discreet, ensuring privacy throughout ordering, testing, and results dissemination. This confidential process addresses privacy concerns while maintaining individual comfort.
The straightforward process promises ease of use, reassuring clients with its reliability and unmatched confidentiality, ensuring their confidence in comprehensive testing results.
Morningside, SD ensures competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, offering affordability complemented by swift turnaround times. Organizations of varied scales find value in these structured packages that do not compromise service quality.
Tailored to meet budget considerations, the service not only beholds fiscal advantages but also a reliable, comprehensive testing process that employers trust for rapid, accurate results.
In Morningside, SD, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their swift and precise results, offering high accuracy in pinpointing substance usage. This method streamlines the process, ensuring that the meticulous analysis translates into credible outcomes that employers and individuals can rely on.
The rapid turnaround time for hair follicle analysis is instrumental in decision-making circles, particularly when urgency without compromising accuracy is crucial. The detailed results offer an unmatched level of trust.
Employers in Morningside, SD achieve peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with workplace policies. This method aligns with legal and safety standards, reducing operational risks associated with substance abuse in the workplace.
Implementing hair testing in drug-free workplace initiatives fortifies a company's compliance strategy, enhancing employee safety and minimizing potential legal challenges.
