Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations have increasingly been recognized as a crucial method for discovering alcohol and drug consumption. The hair holds a long-term record of alcohol along with other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equal to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, the same quantity of body hair may be sourced. When mentioning head hair, this pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary four stages involved in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s framework. This involves ensuring that the sample was secured and transported correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data recording not provided by an electronic chain of custody arrangement.
Screening denotes an initial rapid assessment for abused substances. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to rule out substance use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be admissible legally. Any samples that appear presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a further verification.
If a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as deemed necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp
When comparing hair testing to urine tests in North Buffalo, PA, the advantages of the former are evident. Hair tests exhibit superior detection accuracy and consistency in results. While urine tests are more common, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection period, offering a clearer assessment of habitual drug use over time, which urine tests lack.
Hair follicle tests boast an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days, which provides employers in North Buffalo, PA, with a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use history. This broader range allows for a more thorough evaluation of an employee or applicant’s substance habits, enhancing informed decision-making.
In North Buffalo, PA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests significantly minimizes sample adulteration risks. These tests ensure trustworthy and defensible outcomes, reducing any doubts regarding the integrity of the test results, thus offering enhanced reliability and authenticity in the testing process.
With our convenient nationwide testing centers spread across North Buffalo, PA, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is swift and straightforward. Our facilities ensure a seamless testing experience, offering accessibility and convenience for individuals and organizations alike, making testing hassle-free and efficient.
The hair follicle drug testing process in North Buffalo, PA, is simple and confidential, ensuring ease and privacy from ordering to results. Our streamlined procedures safeguard customer privacy concerns while maintaining efficiency in obtaining and processing test outcomes, enhancing user confidence and satisfaction.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in North Buffalo, PA, deliver excellent value. Companies of various sizes can rely on our competitive pricing strategies and prompt result delivery, ensuring they receive key insights without straining budgets, complemented by swift service.
In North Buffalo, PA, hair follicle drug testing is recognized for providing fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. This testing method delivers exceptional precision in identifying substance use, making it a preferred choice for many organizations. With its high level of accuracy, hair testing ensures dependable results, meeting the stringent requirements of employers and legal authorities.
Employers in North Buffalo, PA, benefit from compliance and peace of mind when adopting hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizes legal concerns, and promotes a secure and safe working environment, thus making it a valuable tool for organizational integrity.
