Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, minimally susceptible to manipulation, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (around the dimension of a #2 pencil), nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferred sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be acquired. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory steps involved in processing a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial management of a sample within a laboratory's system. This entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial speedy evaluation for drug abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples that are provisionally positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a highly challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is undertaken through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In McCleary, WA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy. The longer detection window and reliability of hair tests make them superior, enabling employers to enforce drug-free policies effectively.
Hair follicle drug tests in McCleary, WA provide an extended detection window, capturing drug use insights up to 90 days. This long-term overview helps employers assess an individual's substance history comprehensively over time.
In McCleary, WA, hair follicle tests stand out due to their tamper-resistant nature, minimizing the risk of sample tampering. Their design provides robust results, making them a top choice for reliable drug testing.
Thanks to a network of nationwide testing centers, accessing drug testing services in McCleary, WA, is both convenient and hassle-free. Our local and broader reach ensures seamless service delivery.
In McCleary, WA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, from ordering to results. The focus on privacy and ease means users can trust the process without concerns.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in McCleary, WA, present excellent value for businesses of any size, ensuring affordable and efficient drug testing solutions.
The effectiveness and speed of hair follicle drug tests in McCleary, WA promise accurate detection of substance use. Results produced by these tests are not only reliable but also swift, ensuring that you receive precise outcomes without delay.
Implementing hair follicle testing in McCleary, WA, assures employers compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and boosting safety standards. This testing approach offers significant peace of mind.
