Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a record-keeper for alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Its collection is straightforward, tampering with it poses challenges, and shipment is hassle-free.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and screenings exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair signifies all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in a laboratory is divided into four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial phase of incorporating a sample into a lab’s framework. This phase ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any outstanding data entries not captured by an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for potential substance abuse. Though Screening offers an economical approach to exclude drug usage across most samples, confirmation of a positive screen is necessary for legal admissibility. Presumptive positive samples in Screening demand subsequent confirmation.
In cases where Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set aside for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing a complex technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Constraints:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the methodology actually examines the hair strand and excludes the follicle beneath the scalp
Advantages of Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing in Bevil Oaks, TX bolster its status as a superior alternative. Extended detection windows and the ability to provide a holistic overview of substance use chronologies make hair testing a reliable assessment choice.
An Extended Detection Window in Bevil Oaks, TX allows hair follicle testing to serve as a comprehensive indicator of past drug use, presenting a reflective depiction over a period as lengthy as 90 days. This trait provides employers with vital insights into an applicant's or worker's compliance with substance control policies.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Methods in Bevil Oaks, TX contribute considerably to the reliability of hair follicle testing. By effectively minimizing the potential for fraudulent sample adulteration, this method upholds the integrity and dependability of results.
Accessible Nationwide and Local Testing Centers in Bevil Oaks, TX streamline the process, offering convenience with our extensive network of testing locations. Effortless accessibility facilitates quick and hassle-free service for all individuals requiring drug screening.
Simplified and Confidential Process in Bevil Oaks, TX outlines an uncomplicated method for ordering, taking, and receiving results. Emphasizing privacy and ease, this secure process assures users of the discreet handling of their sensitive testing data.
Competitive Pricing and Quick Turnaround Times in Bevil Oaks, TX assure excellent value with our appealing pricing structures and prompt service delivery, bringing peace of mind to organizations regardless of their size, while guaranteeing efficient and effective testing solutions.
Fast and Dependable Results in Bevil Oaks, TX highlight hair follicle drug tests as a top choice, providing assurance of quick processing alongside high accuracy in uncovering substance use.
The adeptness at screening a broad range of substances efficiently makes hair follicle tests a preferred option, with their precise detection capabilities ensuring a reliable portrayal of an individual's history of drug or alcohol use.
Ensuring Employer Compliance and Peace of Mind in Bevil Oaks, TX, hair follicle testing hands employers the tools they need to uphold rigorous drug-free policies in the workplace, ultimately reducing legal repercussions and enhancing overall workplace safety standards.
