Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Seen as a robust means for assessing use of substances, hair testing captures long-term data by preserving biomarkers within hair fibers. Hair near the scalp offers a detection window of up to 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. It is convenient to collect, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests above 10 panels, it is best to have 150mg of the specimen. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, while body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in lab processing of a test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step checks that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary test for drug abuse. Though it is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result from this requires confirmation for legal admissibility. All samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
When a sample is potentially positive in Screening, extra hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for any positive screening. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", this procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Sequim, WA, hair follicle tests overshadow urine tests regarding accuracy and reliability. The ability to detect drug use over 90 days provides a more profound insight into an individual's substance history. This extended detection makes hair tests favorable for deep insights into candidates or employees' backgrounds compared to traditional methods.
Employers in Sequim, WA, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This long-term insight enables a deeper understanding of an individual's substance history, offering assurance for informed hiring and monitoring decisions. Hair follicle tests are indispensable for comprehensive substance monitoring.
In Sequim, WA, hair follicle tests stand out as tamper-resistant. Ensuring authenticity and unaltered results, this method minimizes the possibility of sample manipulation. For employers and legal authorities, such reliability affirms the validity of the results, making it a preferred choice.
With readily available testing centers across Sequim, WA, and nationwide, hair follicle testing becomes seamless. Access to local and extensive facilities ensures a convenient and hassle-free testing experience, underscoring the ease of performing tests wherever needed, while maintaining efficiency and reliability.
The hair follicle testing process in Sequim, WA, is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to testing and receiving results, it emphasizes privacy and simplicity. Individuals and employers can confidently engage in the process, reassured by the commitment to confidentiality and ease of use.
Affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times in Sequim, WA, highlights the value of hair follicle testing. For businesses of all sizes, maintaining cost-efficiency while ensuring timely results is paramount. Competitive rates ensure companies gain reliable insights without financial strain.
Accurate and rapid results are critical in substance screening. In Sequim, WA, hair follicle drug tests deliver both. Their high precision in pinpointing substance use ensures trust in the findings. Whether for clinical, legal, or employment purposes, the immediacy and exactness of these tests make them a reliable choice.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Sequim, WA, aids employers in upholding drug-free workplace policies. This strategy not only mitigates legal threats but also enhances workplace security. With confidence in compliance and safety, businesses can operate with peace of mind, trusting the integrity of the tests.
