Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair for testing has become recognized as a potent method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers as it grows, providing an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch section, roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100 mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable amount of body hair is a substitute. Head hair refers only to scalp hair, and body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory’s system by confirming it was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening conducts an initial drug check for abuse. It is a cost-effective method for ruling out drug use in most samples, yet a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
For samples found presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine, oral fluid); thus, hair drug screening poses as the most intricate methodology to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as warranted. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Everett, WA, hair follicle testing clearly outperforms urine tests in many ways. Its superior detection accuracy is unmatched, with results representing up to 90 days of substance history.
Comparatively, urine tests lack the extended detection window offered by hair analysis, which also provides better deterrence against cheating. Such benefits make hair testing a reliable choice for zero-tolerance workplaces.
Hair follicle testing's extended detection window, capable of uncovering substance use over a 90-day period, offers Everett, WA employers a thorough view of an employee’s or applicant’s history.
This comprehensive capability allows companies to make informed hiring decisions, upholding standards and safety, with insight into long-term substance use patterns.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Everett, WA, greatly minimizes the risk of sample manipulation, ensuring trustworthy and indisputable results.
Employers can rely on the integrity of hair testing methods, knowing these tests resist tampering and provide a consistent evaluation process that enhances workplace safety.
With numerous nationwide testing centers and local availability in Everett, WA, accessing hair follicle testing services is convenient, quick, and hassle-free.
Employers and individuals benefit from easily reachable locations, streamlining the testing process and reinforcing the importance of substance abuse monitoring.
The process for hair follicle testing in Everett, WA is both simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use while maintaining privacy.
From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed for clarity and confidentiality, addressing any privacy concerns professionals or employees might have.
In Everett, WA, competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests ensure excellent value for businesses of any size.
This affordable solution provides organizations with cost-effective drug testing options while delivering prompt and reliable results, enhancing business operations and decision-making.
In Everett, WA, hair follicle drug testing offers exceptional precision and speed. Fast results coupled with high accuracy ensure reliable detection of substance use, a vital aspect for employers and professionals alike.
Hair testing surpasses other methods by providing accurate assessments quickly. The efficiency of these tests in capturing substance history ensures timely information, helping organizations maintain integrity in hiring or monitoring processes.
Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Everett, WA, hair follicle testing supports employers in maintaining safety and reducing legal risks.
Through its precise results, hair testing offers peace of mind, guaranteeing that workplace standards are met consistently, protecting the organization’s reputation and its workforce.
