Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding indicators in the hair strand as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness), taken closest to the scalp, results in 100mg of hair, which is optimal for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we are specifically addressing scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for drug test results is composed of four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's records. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data requirements not provided by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening represents a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires verification for court acceptability. Any screen-positive samples necessitate further verification.
If a sample indicates potential positivity during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this procedure, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Verification of any positive screen results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before verification as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used, but the actual analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Springmont, PA, hair follicle testing triumphs over urine testing in many aspects. Hair tests offer unbeatable detection accuracy as they evaluate patterns of substance use over three months, unlike urine tests that only detect recent use. Additionally, hair testing offers superior reliability, ensuring no missed infractions, which is vital for organizations aiming to maintain a strict drug policy.
Springmont, PA employers can count on hair follicle testing for a long-term view of drug usage—up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides potential insights into consistent patterns of substance abuse or confirms a clean history over a significant period, offering comprehensive understanding and aiding in better decision-making for new hires or ongoing employee assessments.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Springmont, PA makes it a superior choice. Unlike urine samples, which can be easily tampered with, hair samples reduce the chance of adulteration, giving indisputable results. By choosing hair follicle tests, organizations can be assured of the authenticity of their testing processes and conclusions.
Convenience is key with testing centers nationwide and locally in Springmont, PA. Accredited Drug Testing offers easy access to testing facilities, ensuring the process is quick and hassle-free. Whether for pre-employment or routine screenings, our extensive network ensures rapid testing, meeting the needs of clients efficiently and effectively.
In Springmont, PA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results are straightforward, maintaining privacy. This ease of use is crucial to encouraging participation and ensuring that individuals and companies can comfortably engage in the testing process without concerns of confidentiality breaches.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing services in Springmont, PA, along with fast turnaround times. Affordable pricing structures provide great value, ensuring both small and large companies can maintain budget-friendly testing regimes while securing peace of mind through our prompt and reliable services.
In Springmont, PA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision is unmatched, providing high accuracy in detecting substance use, crucial for employers and organizations aiming to ensure a drug-free environment. Hair testing is ideal for obtaining dependable data swiftly, allowing immediate decisions regarding employment and compliance to be made.
Hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers in Springmont, PA. By adopting this testing method, businesses align with strict drug policies, effectively reducing legal risks and enhancing safety within the workplace. Hair testing represents a proactive measure to maintain a secure and legally compliant work environment, benefitting all stakeholders.
