Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair delivers a comprehensive timeline of drug and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collecting hair samples near the scalp can offer an approximate detection window of up to 3 months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it is relatively hard to tamper with, and it is convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly similar in width to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to determine the specimen's weight. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing involved in deriving drug test results comprises four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into a laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was suitably sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any additional information entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening acts as a preliminary swift assessment for the presence of drugs. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive outcome from Screening requires confirmation for court acceptability. Any samples that show a preliminary positive result during Screening necessitate a secondary validation.
In instances where a sample is tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as a considerably challenging practice.
Confirmation for any positive Screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as appropriate. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the assessment evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy in Adrian, OR. The benefits are evident as these tests provide more reliable and detailed results.
In Adrian, OR, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This allows employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history.
Hair follicle testing in Adrian, OR significantly minimizes tampering risks, ensuring the integrity of the results. By reducing sample adulteration possibilities, these tests provide more trustworthy outcomes.
With numerous convenient testing centers available nationwide and locally in Adrian, OR, accessing our testing services is quick and hassle-free, ensuring a smooth experience.
In Adrian, OR, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and usability.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle drug testing in Adrian, OR provides exceptional value, catering to businesses of all sizes efficiently.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Adrian, OR make it a preferred choice. These tests are known for their fast, accurate results, detecting substance use with a high degree of accuracy.
Employers in Adrian, OR gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Adopting this testing method aligns with drug-free workplace policies and reduces legal risks while enhancing safety.