Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can provide a detection span of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to send.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), taken closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is perfect for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is optimal. We suggest weighing the hair using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases included in processing a drug test result within a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning phase involves the initial steps of incorporating a sample into a lab's system. This phase includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry that was not previously provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening phase is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for it to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary prior to confirmation. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests excel over urine testing in Esperance, WA due to their superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests have a longer detection window, capturing evidence of substance use over an extended period.
With a more comprehensive detection capability, hair tests offer enterprises a clearer, longer-term substance use history, enhancing hiring and retention decisions.
Esperance, WA sees the outstanding benefits of hair follicle testing with its extended detection window. Hair tests identify drug use over approximately 90 days, providing employers with a thorough insight into an individual’s substance use history.
This feature allows businesses to make informed decisions regarding potential and current employees, understanding substance behaviors that standard testing might overlook.
In Esperance, WA, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant solution. Unlike other methods, it significantly reduces sample adulteration risks, providing trusted and unquestionable outcomes.
This level of assurance ensures that test results are reliable, helping organizations maintain integrity in their drug testing processes.
The convenience of nationwide and local testing sites in Esperance, WA is unbeatable. Our extensive network ensures easy access to drug testing services, providing quick and hassle-free experiences for all clients.
With facilities readily available, individuals and businesses can conveniently undergo necessary testing without significant disruption to their schedules.
Esperance, WA benefits from a simple, confidential hair follicle testing process. From ordering to receiving results, every step is streamlined, safeguarding privacy and ensuring ease of use.
This seamless procedure addresses any concerns about privacy, making the testing process straightforward and discreet for individuals and organizations alike.
In Esperance, WA, our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times on hair follicle tests offer exceptional value. By providing affordable, efficient services, we cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring quick results and peace of mind.
This approach makes high-standard drug testing accessible, supporting companies in maintaining their safety and compliance.
In Esperance, WA, hair follicle testing offers swift, accurate, and dependable results. This method outshines others by providing high precision in detecting substances, ensuring reliability in their findings.
The robust accuracy of hair follicle tests captures substance usage effectively, allowing quick assessment and ensuring the reliability employers and authorities trust.
For businesses in Esperance, WA, embracing hair follicle testing means assurance of compliance and peace of mind. This method enhances adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.
By choosing hair testing, employers can confidently reinforce their workplace safety, focusing on more strategic initiatives for employee well-being.