Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for the identification of drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. This type of sample is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. Referring to head hair implies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial intake of a sample into a lab’s system. This stage includes ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening refers to a preliminary quick analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample indicates a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Worthington, PA
Hair testing in Worthington, PA outshines urine tests, offering superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests effectively identify prolonged drug use with a detection period of up to 90 days. This broader window allows for a more substantial assessment of an individual's substance behaviors, lending a more thorough understanding of their history.
Extended Detection Window in Worthington, PA
Hair follicle testing provides the ability to review drug use over an extended timeframe, often up to 90 days, offering a clearer historical insight into an individual's substance usage. This thorough detection window is advantageous for employers looking to evaluate long-term usage trends as part of their hiring process or ongoing employee reviews.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Worthington, PA
The tamper-proof nature of hair follicle tests eliminates the chance of sample manipulation, delivering trustworthy results. Worthington's employers can rely on these results to consistently reflect the testee's substance use history accurately, thanks to the test's inherent resistance to adulteration during both collection and analysis procedures.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Worthington, PA
With a network of testing centers nationwide, including locations in Worthington, PA, accessing drug testing services couldn't be easier. Employers and individuals are ensured a seamless experience, with quick, stress-free access to meet their testing requirements with local convenience and efficiency.
Simple, Confidential Process in Worthington, PA
The ease and confidentiality of our hair follicle drug testing process in Worthington, PA prioritize user privacy and accessibility. From ordering to collecting samples, right through to receiving results, users experience a straightforward, discreet service that addresses the necessity for both security and convenience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Worthington, PA
Our competitive pricing alongside fast turnaround offers great value, ensuring businesses of all sizes in Worthington, PA obtain necessary drug testing with efficiency. Whether facing time constraints or budget considerations, our hair follicle tests provide both cost-effectiveness and expeditious services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Worthington, PA
Hair follicle drug tests stand out in Worthington with their outstanding precision and rapid results. These tests ensure a high accuracy level in recognizing substance use, thereby empowering employers with dependable data that guides critical hiring and policy decisions. Their quick processing time extends a practical solution for urgent testing requirements.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Worthington, PA
Adopting hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, vital to minimizing legal exposure and bolstering workplace security. Employers gain peace of mind from compliance with regulations that secure both their operations and workforce, creating a substance-free environment across Worthington, PA.
