Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ocean Park, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol consumption. The hair offers an extended historical record by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. It's straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests beyond the standard 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the specimen. Measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAB (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary examination for drug abuse indicators. While it serves as an economical method to eliminate drug consumption possibilities in most samples, a positive screen qualifies only following confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmatory analysis.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is processed for Extraction. At this phase, drug elements are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternate procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), positioning hair drug screening as the most complex technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing as required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug intake for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests present a shorter detection timeframe.
• Cheating is challenging: Altering hair drug test outcomes is highly improbable, thus providing more reliable results.
• Detailed historical analysis: These tests can display a drug use timeline spanning multiple months, rather than just recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days following consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can impact the metabolite levels detected within the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Ocean Park, WA, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests owing to superior detection accuracy and reliability. The methodology allows for extended monitoring periods and minimizes chances of tampering, ensuring a comprehensive substance use assessment unmatched by traditional urine tests.

• Longer detection duration
• Greater reliability in results

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Ocean Park, WA provides an impressive detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history. This extended period surpasses conventional testing methods, offering invaluable insights into long-term habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ocean Park, WA utilizes hair follicle tests which significantly curb the risk of tampered results. This tamper-resistant method ensures trustworthy and conclusive outcomes, safeguarding against attempts to alter the sample and confirming the integrity of the testing process.

• Sample integrity is protected
• Provides confidence in results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With multiple testing centers all over the country, including in Ocean Park, WA, accessing hair follicle testing services is convenient and straightforward. This nationwide reach ensures clients have easy access to our reliable drug testing solutions whenever required.

• Nationwide testing locations available
• Local centers in Ocean Park for easy access

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ocean Park, WA, our hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use. From initial ordering through to receiving results, every step is streamlined to provide a hassle-free experience for all parties involved.

• Streamlined process
• Ensures confidentiality

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Ocean Park, WA offers competitively affordable pricing on hair follicle testing, coupled with quick turnaround times. These attributes ensure excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, delivering results swiftly without compromising on quality.

• Cost-effective solutions
• Rapid result delivery

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests in Ocean Park, WA deliver exceptional accuracy and speed in detecting substance use, ensuring rapid and precise results. This method offers a high level of reliability, making it the preferred choice for organizations aiming to maintain strict substance policies.

• Results are swiftly delivered
• Boasts high precision in detection
• Reliable method across various substances

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ocean Park, WA benefit from hair follicle testing as it guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal repercussions and fostering a secure work environment. This methodology assures companies of upholding stringent regulatory standards.

• Mitigates legal risks
• Enhances safety measures

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