Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair that are continually growing. If collected near the scalp, hair can present a detection window of up to nearly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will produce 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for preliminary screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair refers to all other types (beard, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure at the laboratory for processing a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial process of incorporating a specimen into the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying the sample’s correct sealing and shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody platform.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid drug check. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening do require further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirming a positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. Every presumptive positive sample is cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Constraints:
Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the examination actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Pierce, WI, hair follicle testing is favored over urine tests due to its superior benefits. Advantages include:
In Pierce, WI, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing surpasses other methods. Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, crucial for employers seeking detailed insights during employment evaluations.
Hair follicle tests in Pierce, WI are known for significantly reducing the risk of sample tampering. This testing method provides reliable and unquestionable results, as altering or substituting samples is nearly impossible, offering peace of mind for both employers and legal entities.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including local locations in Pierce, WI, accessing our services is quick and hassle-free. Advantages include:
Our process in Pierce, WI is designed to be simple and confidential. Steps include:
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our services in Pierce, WI deliver excellent value. Features include:
For fast, accurate, and reliable results in Pierce, WI, hair follicle drug tests stand out. Benefits include:
Employers in Pierce, WI gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, legal risks are minimized, and safety is enhanced, fostering a healthier, more productive work environment.