Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fiber structure of the maturing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to nearly a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hair strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which serves as the optimum sample for both scrutiny and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is advisable for weighing the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. In the context of head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample entering a laboratory system. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a test result is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to perform.
Any positive screening results are affirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as warranted. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Ford Cliff, PA sees hair follicle testing as superior to traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer better detection accuracy, showing substance use over an extended period. Unlike urine tests, which have short detection windows, hair testing paints a fuller picture of an individual's drug use.
Employers and legal authorities benefit from this method, as it enhances their ability to make informed decisions while reducing the likelihood of false negatives common with urine tests.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Ford Cliff, PA reveals a more comprehensive view of drug use. This offers employers insight into potential employees' substance use history beyond recent use.
Such an extensive detection capacity allows companies to make well-informed choices during the hiring process, ensuring an accurate assessment of applicant reliability.
In Ford Cliff, PA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method of drug testing. Their design minimizes risks associated with sample adulteration. Unlike urine, hair samples are difficult to manipulate, ensuring accurate results.
This makes hair follicle tests a reliable choice for organizations, as the integrity of the sample remains intact, delivering consistent and trustworthy results for drug screening.
In Ford Cliff, PA, the convenience of nationwide testing locations ensures easy access to hair follicle testing services. With numerous centers, individuals and companies find the process hassle-free.
Local and national centers offer quick and efficient service, allowing for smooth scheduling, minimal travel, and prompt testing without delays.
Ford Cliff, PA residents experience a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing. Ordering and obtaining results is straightforward, ensuring privacy is respected throughout the procedure.
The seamless approach to testing addresses privacy concerns, ensuring that clients' information is handled discreetly while keeping the testing process user-friendly.
Ford Cliff, PA offers affordable pricing paired with rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Companies benefit from competitive rates that deliver excellent value without sacrificing quality.
The swift processing of results ensures that businesses receive information promptly, enabling timely decision-making and enhancing operational efficiency.
In Ford Cliff, PA, the hair follicle drug tests offer quick, precise, and reliable results. The accuracy of these tests in detecting substance usage is significantly high. Furthermore, the ability to quickly analyze these tests means reduced wait times for results.
Hair follicle testing in this region ensures that any drug use is detected swiftly and accurately, minimizing delays in the decision-making process for companies and individuals alike.
Employers in Ford Cliff, PA gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, this testing method reduces legal risks and enhances safety.
By opting for hair follicle tests, businesses can maintain a secure environment while confidently meeting regulatory demands and protecting their reputation.
