Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a usage history of up to around three months for alcohol and various drugs. The collection process is straightforward, the sample is less prone to tampering, and it is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hairs (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extended panels, or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, the equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically denotes scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types of hair (face, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps involved in processing a laboratory drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial intake of a sample into the laboratory’s workflow. This step involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional information not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is essentially a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers an economical way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive finding must be confirmed for it to be court-admissible. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening need further verification.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex testing method to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
The benefits of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test is performed on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle located under the scalp.
Exploring the merits of hair follicle testing in Baden, PA, its superiority over urine testing is evident in its enhanced accuracy and dependability. Hair tests outperform urine tests in detecting drug use across extended periods, establishing themselves as more dependable.
The detailed detection accuracy of hair tests provides an added layer of reliability, rendering them favorable over urine tests, which might miss extended substance use timelines.
In Baden, PA, the extensive detection window offered by hair follicle testing provides visibility into drug use over an impressive 90-day period. Employers gain a thorough understanding of an applicant’s or employee’s substance history.
This extended timeframe is invaluable, offering insights into consistent drug habits rather than merely recent consumption, a crucial distinction for comprehensive assessments.
Hair follicle tests in Baden, PA, significantly minimize risks of sample manipulation. Their design inherently reduces concerns related to tampering, delivering results that are reliable and beyond question.
By significantly lowering the likelihood of adulteration, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method, ensuring the integrity of the results and fostering trust in their outcomes.
In Baden, PA, and beyond, the ease of accessing nationwide testing centers makes hair follicle testing accessible and convenient. Our centers offer a simple and hassle-free way to undergo testing procedures.
The convenience of testing across multiple locations ensures that individuals and employers can effortlessly access testing services when needed, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency.
The process of undergoing hair follicle testing in Baden, PA, is straightforward and confidential. Each step, from ordering to results, respects privacy while remaining user-friendly.
This process simplicity, combined with confidentiality, reassures users concerned about discretion while facilitating an efficient journey from testing to receiving results, without any complexities.
In Baden, PA, hair follicle testing stands as an affordable option, featuring competitive prices and swift turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from its value and prompt service.
This combination of cost-efficiency and speed supports businesses in managing resources wisely while receiving speedy and reliable drug testing outcomes, reinforcing their decision to opt for this method.
In Baden, PA, hair follicle testing stands out with its exceptional speed and accuracy in identifying drug use. This method offers rapid results coupled with unmatched precision, ensuring a dependable outcome for those in need of reliable testing.
Employing groundbreaking technology, the hair follicle test delivers fast, accurate readings, crucial for both employers and individuals requiring timely and precise substance use detection.
Emphasizing compliance, Baden, PA, employers find assurance in hair follicle testing as it aligns with workplace drug-free policies. This practice also diminishes legal liabilities and promotes a safer workplace environment.
Implementing hair testing aids employers in adhering to policy compliance, simultaneously providing peace of mind concerning legal issues and enhancing overall workplace security.
