Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures and retains biomarkers within its structure, providing a long-term record of substance use. When hair is taken near the scalp, it offers an approximate 3-month timeline for detecting alcohol and drugs. This method is straightforward to collect, resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
For optimal screening and verification, a 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for analysis. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent portion of body hair is acceptable. The term "head hair" specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The essential steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any outstanding data inputs not covered by an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug presence. Though cost-effective, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in this stage require further confirmation.
Upon a positive indication in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which underscores the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmatory analysis of positive screenings employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples implying a positive result undergo a wash process before confirmation, if necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although these are sometimes called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle itself under the scalp.
In Atkinson Mills, PA, hair follicle testing emerges as a superior alternative to urine testing due to its comprehensive detection capability. Offering a detection window that urine tests cannot match, it guarantees better accuracy in identifying long-term substance use. Employers benefit from this multidimensional insight, making informed decisions supported by a reliable testing methodology that's hard to trick.
Atkinson Mills, PA, employers can look further back into an individual's history with hair follicle testing. Capable of detecting drug use up to 90 days prior, it provides a thorough picture of one's substance history. This expansive window is invaluable for businesses keen to maintain a drug-free workplace, enabling informed hiring and monitoring decisions, thus helping to maintain workplace integrity and safety.
Hair follicle testing in Atkinson Mills, PA offers a substantial reduction in the opportunities for tampering, presenting highly reliable outcomes. Due to the nature of hair samples, it's nearly impossible to alter or adulterate the tested specimen. As a result, companies achieve assurance and confidence in the non-negotiable integrity of their testing results, ensuring fair and accurate assessments.
With Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network across Atkinson Mills, PA and nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing has never been easier. Our widespread locations minimize travel hassles, making the process efficient and user-friendly. Whether locally or across the country, this convenience guarantees quick and straightforward access to testing, streamlining the entire experience for all involved.
The hair follicle testing process in Atkinson Mills, PA is designed to be both simple and confidential, addressing common concerns related to privacy. From order placement to receiving conclusive results, every step is streamlined for ease. Our system guarantees private handling of sensitive information, ensuring that users experience both transparency and security throughout the testing process.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Atkinson Mills, PA delivers excellent value for organizations of all sizes. Our cost-effective rates don't compromise on quality, making high-standard drug testing accessible. For companies seeking prompt and reliable results, our service stands as a testament to affordability paired with unmatched efficiency in the testing sector.
The precision of hair follicle drug tests ensures that individuals in Atkinson Mills, PA receive dependable and expeditious results. By accurately identifying substance use, this method guarantees a quick turnaround time. The high level of accuracy in these tests provides peace of mind, knowing the outcomes reflect true substance use, thus ensuring reliable conclusions for all involved parties.
Employers in Atkinson Mills, PA gain significant assurance from hair follicle testing's ability to reinforce drug-free workplace policies. By providing a testing mechanism aligned with legal and safety standards, companies reduce potential liabilities. This proactive approach not only sustains a compliant environment but also enhances overall workplace safety and productivity, offering peace of mind to business operators.
