Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has increasingly become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a long-term history of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair growth strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair can provide an approximately 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (comparable to #2 pencil thickness) from the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures correct sample sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves any remaining data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary quick test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples appearing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
When a sample is indicated as positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair qualification and the compliance to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test in actuality analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing in Shelocta, PA, by offering superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a reliable method to identify long-term substance use, with a detection window reaching up to 90 days. This method stands out for its enhanced ability to identify recent and past drug use, thus ensuring more comprehensive substance use history reviews for employers.
In Shelocta, PA, hair follicle testing extends the detection window for drugs up to 90 days. This advantage gives employers a detailed understanding of substance use patterns, offering a more thorough assessment of an employee or applicant's drug use history. By choosing hair follicle testing, comprehensive insights into long-term drug exposure are achieved, aiding informed employment decisions.
Within Shelocta, PA, hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the risk of tampering with samples. This method provides reliable results that are nearly impossible to adulterate, ensuring that the results are trustworthy and beyond dispute. The collection process contributes to the test's accuracy, offering a tamper-resistant solution that maintains the integrity of the drug testing procedure.
In Shelocta, PA, access to hair follicle testing services is easy with our nationwide testing locations. This network ensures that testing is convenient, fast, and without complications, even in local areas. Our widespread presence facilitates quick and straightforward access, making it simple for individuals and businesses to engage with drug testing services across different cities.
In Shelocta, PA, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. Ensuring user privacy is a priority, and the process reassures individuals that results are handled securely. This seamless process alleviates concerns about privacy while delivering clear and concise results, supporting ease of use at every step.
Shelocta, PA, benefits from competitively priced hair follicle testing with fast result turnaround. Our pricing structure is designed to be affordable without compromising quality, offering excellent value to companies of all sizes. Rapid result delivery ensures companies receive timely information, providing peace of mind and efficient decision-making capabilities when addressing potential substance use concerns.
In Shelocta, PA, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing are unmatched. With high accuracy, these tests quickly reveal substance use, providing essential information for employers. Hair testing ensures that results are not only rapid but reliable, thanks to advanced techniques that minimize error and provide clear insights into an individual's drug use patterns over time.
For employers in Shelocta, PA, using hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, enhancing compliance and safety. This method reduces legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace, offering peace of mind by supporting a secure and compliant work environment. Employers can rely on these tests to uphold standards and maintain workplace safety effectively.
