Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the developing hair fiber. When collected near the scalp, hair testing can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. In our context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test comprises four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen within the laboratory’s system. This phase includes ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening represents an initial expedited evaluation for drug abuse. While this is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for judicial admissibility. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample be deemed presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), lending to the challenges of hair drug screening.
The Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is ISO / IEC 17025 accredited.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the name "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Nowlin, SD: Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its ability to trace drug use over extended periods makes it a preferred choice for employers and legal entities.
Extended Detection Window in Nowlin, SD: Hair follicle tests are capable of identifying drug use over a long span, up to 90 days. This comprehensive detection period provides employers a clear insight into the substance use history of applicants or employees.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Nowlin, SD: The hair follicle test significantly minimizes the chance of sample adultery, guaranteeing reliable and irrefutable results. Its design inherently upholds result integrity, offering peace of mind.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Nowlin, SD: Our extensive nationwide network of testing centers guarantees prompt and straightforward access to our services, eliminating hassles for individuals and businesses alike.
Simple, Confidential Process in Nowlin, SD: Our testing process is easy and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. This reassurance safeguards privacy concerns while maintaining user-friendliness.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Nowlin, SD: We offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, ensuring excellent service value while providing peace of mind to organizations of diverse sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Nowlin, SD: Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed, providing trustworthy detection of substance use. This accuracy ensures reliable results promptly, aiding individuals and organizations in Nowlin, SD, in making informed decisions with confidence.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Nowlin, SD: Implementing hair follicle testing ensures that workplace drug-free policies are adhered to, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety, thereby offering tranquility for employers.
