Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair locks in biomarkers within the strands, delivering a comprehensive history of substance use over time. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal substance usage for a period of up to around three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, comparatively tough to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A segment measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary analyses, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair can’t be collected, a proportionate amount of body hair may be utilized. When referencing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair signifies any other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of drug tests include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning describes the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This process assures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, designates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any outstanding data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a swift preliminary check for substance abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly tactic to discard drug usage for most samples, any positives from this stage must be validated for court-viable evidence. Samples that show presumptive positives in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
If a sample displays presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are separated from the hair at considerably reduced concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair drug screening as the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and follows the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the examination evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Crown, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection period of hair tests allows for a thorough review of an individual's drug history. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are less prone to manipulation.
Hair follicle testing in Crown, PA, offers a substantial detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. Employers find this feature valuable as it gives an extensive insight into the substance history of employees or candidates.
In Crown, PA, hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, resulting in dependable and credible results.
With accessible testing locations Nationwide, including Crown, PA, our convenient centers offer quick and effortless service for hair follicle tests. This nationwide reach ensures that accessing testing services is smooth and efficient.
The process for hair follicle testing in Crown, PA, is simple and confidential. From order to results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease, dispelling concerns about the process.
Our hair follicle testing services in Crown, PA, are priced competitively, offering fast turnaround times and exceptional value to employers of all sizes. This affordability, coupled with rapid processing, makes it an attractive option.
In Crown, PA, hair follicle testing offers swift and reliable results in drug detection. Its precision makes it a preferred choice, especially with its high accuracy rate.
The test's ability to uncover recent substance use with impressive accuracy gives it an edge over other methods.
Employers in Crown, PA, gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. This method helps maintain drug-free workplace policies and provides assurance through adherence to safety protocols.
