Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a chronicled overview of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair fibers as they develop. When clipped near the scalp, hair offers an estimated three-month observation span for alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, resists tampering, and is simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section composed of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for initial screening and validation. For tests involving EtG, additional assays, and/or more than 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be procured. Reference to head hair pertains to scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial integration into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the sample's correct sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any additional information input absent from the electronic chain of custody arrangement.
Screening initiates a rapid inspection for drug abuse markers. While being a budget-friendly strategy to dismiss drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. Any sample flagged as presumptively positive during Screening requires further confirmation.
Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, additional strands are extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drug substances are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (for example, urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging technique to implement.
Positive screening confirmation is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives receive a pre-confirmation wash if necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the directives of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Dell City, TX, hair testing offers superior reliability over traditional urine tests. Hair tests boast a longer detection window, providing up to 90 days of substance history. This extended period greatly surpasses the typical 3-day window of urine tests, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual's habits.
Employers in Dell City, TX, gain a deeper understanding of substance use with hair follicle testing, which uncovers usage history up to 90 days. This extended detection period offers a broader picture of an employee's or applicant's substance history, enabling informed decision-making.
Hair follicle testing in Dell City, TX, significantly reduces the likelihood of sample tampering. The collection process is observed, and the nature of hair testing makes it difficult to adulterate, resulting in highly reliable and conclusive results.
Nationwide, including Dell City, TX, our testing centers are available for convenient access. These locations ensure that individuals and businesses can quickly and effortlessly avail themselves of testing services, facilitating a hassle-free process every time.
Our process in Dell City, TX, is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, sampling, and obtaining results are streamlined and private, emphasizing ease of use without compromising an individual's privacy concerns.
Hair follicle testing in Dell City, TX, offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our cost-effective approach provides excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes while ensuring timely and accurate results.
Hair follicle drug testing is a reliable method in Dell City, TX, known for its fast and precise results. The accuracy in substance detection is paramount, offering robust insights into recent drug use. Hair tests are efficient in turnaround time, ensuring timely results that employers and individuals can count on.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Dell City, TX, delivers peace of mind for employers striving for a drug-free workplace. This method enhances policy compliance and minimizes legal risks, effectively contributing to a safer working environment.
