Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record keeper of alcohol and other substances by locking biomarkers within its strands as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can indicate usage for up to around three months. The collection process is straightforward, manipulation is quite challenging, and shipment is uncomplicated.
A 1.5-inch sample composed of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair for optimal screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It’s suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is missing, a comparable amount of body hair may be acquired. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The drug testing cycle in a laboratory comprises four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is logged into the laboratory system. This phase ensures the sample’s proper sealing and dispatch, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves a preliminary quick analysis for drugs of abuse. Though Screening serves as a cost-effective method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal acceptability. Confirming presumptively positive samples from Screening is essential.
Upon a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at notably lower concentrations than via other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), hence making hair drug screening a challenging method.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Presumptive positive samples are washed for confirmation when necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review adhering to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
In Marianne, PA, hair follicle testing clearly outperforms traditional urine tests. With higher accuracy and reliability, hair tests leave little room for doubt when detecting substances. Their enhanced detection capabilities offer assurance, making them the preferred choice over urine tests for comprehensive drug testing strategies.
Hair follicle tests can detect drug use over an extensive period of up to 90 days in Marianne, PA. This prolonged detection window provides employers with an in-depth understanding of an employee or applicant's history with substances, which is invaluable for informed decision-making in the workplace.
Hair follicle testing in Marianne, PA significantly curtails the chances of sample tampering. The collection process is foolproof, resulting in reliable outcomes that stand up to scrutiny. Employers benefit from knowing that hair tests offer unquestionable results devoid of contamination or manipulation.
With convenient testing sites scattered around Marianne, PA, as well as nationwide, accessing hair drug testing services is straightforward. Our local and national locations provide quick and hassle-free testing solutions, ensuring that clients face minimal inconvenience.
In Marianne, PA, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering and taking the test to receiving results, each step ensures privacy and ease, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and user-friendliness effectively.
Competitive pricing and swift results are key features of our services in Marianne, PA. Organizations of all sizes receive excellent value with our affordable rates and fast turnaround times, providing them with timely and cost-effective testing solutions.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Marianne, PA are unmatched. These tests ensure high accuracy when detecting substance use. They offer a dependable method to monitor drug use, providing fast and precise results. Their accuracy is instrumental for employers and individuals seeking reliable drug testing methods.
Employers in Marianne, PA gain peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. Compliance with drug-free workplace policies becomes simpler, legal risks are minimized, and overall workplace safety is bolstered. Such benefits make hair testing a cornerstone of steadfast policy adherence.