Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Testing hair has become a formidable resource in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed timeline of substance use by preserving biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When strands are gathered near the scalp, they can reflect drug and alcohol intake for roughly a 90-day period. Collecting hair is uncomplicated, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
An optimal sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil), cut close to the scalp to yield 100mg of hair. For EtG add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It is advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. In referring to head hair, we specify scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Summary
Key phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially logged into the lab's system. This phase ensures the sample is correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient technique to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples indicating a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to execute.
Positive Screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples assumed to be positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the compliance criteria of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Merits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in New Morgan, PA: The superiority of hair testing lies in its unparalleled detection rate and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Hair analysis uncovers a wider range of substances and remains resilient to manipulation, providing trustworthy results.
Extended Detection Window in New Morgan, PA: Hair follicle tests shine with their ability to trace substance usage over an extensive period of up to 90 days, presenting a thorough view of an individual's substance interaction.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in New Morgan, PA: Hair follicle testing is robust against tampering, minimizing the possibility of manipulation and ensuring accuracy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in New Morgan, PA: Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access through our widespread testing centers across the nation, ensuring hassle-free service.
Simple, Confidential Process in New Morgan, PA: The process for scheduling, executing, and receiving hair test results is straightforward and secure, safeguarding individual privacy throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in New Morgan, PA: Our competitive pricing structure and prompt result delivery offer substantial value for businesses of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in New Morgan, PA: Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their efficiency and precision, accurately capturing substance usage and offering insightful results. This method's accuracy surpasses typical testing, speeding up the detection process and ensuring reliability.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in New Morgan, PA: Adopting hair follicle analysis helps businesses maintain drug-free workplace policies, lessening legal complications while enhancing safety standards.
