Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a remarkable method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair gives a prolonged record of alcohol and other drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When collected near the scalp, it can present a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is easy, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
To procure an ideal sample for analysis and validation, a 1.5-inch segment comprising 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp is needed to produce 100mg of hair. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests involving more than 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in a laboratory involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab’s system, where the sample's seal and shipment are validated, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is allocated, and any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.
Screening provides a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. It is an economical method to exclude drug usage in the majority of cases, although a confirmed screen result is required for it to be permissible in court. Presumptive positive samples from Screening need a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive in the Screening phase, further hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation for any presumptive positive results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives are washed as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in accordance with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Beaver Valley, WA, offers significant benefits over traditional urine tests. Employers and institutions benefit from its superior detection capabilities, as hair tests surpass urine tests in terms of drug detection over an extended timeline, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability in drug use assessment.
In Beaver Valley, WA, hair follicle tests provide a robust drug detection window of up to 90 days. This extended timeframe offers employers comprehensive insights into an individual's substance use history. By surpassing the typical detection period of urine tests, businesses ensure a thorough evaluation of employee behavior.
Hair follicle testing in Beaver Valley, WA, boasts a tamper-resistant approach that significantly minimizes sample adulteration risk. This method ensures that results remain unaltered and trustworthy, providing businesses and institutions with indisputable assessments and reliable data.
Residents of Beaver Valley, WA, benefit from convenient nationwide testing access through an extensive network of labs. With swift and easy service availability, individuals and companies find rapid solutions to their drug testing needs, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
In Beaver Valley, WA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From order placement to receiving results, our procedures prioritize privacy, addressing concerns about ease of use and discretion, thus ensuring clients' comfort and satisfaction throughout the testing journey.
Hair follicle testing in Beaver Valley, WA, offers companies cost-effective solutions with affordable pricing and speedy result delivery. Our competitive structures ensure value, allowing businesses of all sizes to leverage high-quality drug testing services without financial strain, accompanied by prompt turnaround times.
In Beaver Valley, WA, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its accuracy and speed. This method offers precise insights into a person's drug history, detecting substance use with unmatched reliability. Clients experience peace of mind knowing results are both fast and reliable, fostering trust and efficiency in drug screening processes.
Employers in Beaver Valley, WA, gain peace of mind using hair follicle testing to comply with drug-free workplace mandates. This testing method bolsters organizational safety standards, minimizes legal complications, and fosters a secure work environment, contributing to enhanced operational integrity.
