Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Acknowledged for its effectiveness, hair testing serves as a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair's structure captures significant biomarkers within its growing fibers, offering an extended timeline of substance usage. If collected from near the scalp, the hair sample can reveal drug and alcohol consumption for up to about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (similar in girth to a #2 pencil) from the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for analysis and validation. For additional EtG checks or tests beyond 10-panel assessments, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable amount of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" exclusively pertains to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase, which incorporates entering the sample into a lab’s system. This phase involves the verification of proper sealing and shipping of the sample, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data not available from an electronic custody chain.
Screening is a preliminary, speedy method to detect substances of abuse. While cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive findings from screening require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives from screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
If Screening results indicate a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample is processed for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations considerably lower than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Necessary washing of solely presumptive positive samples occurs before confirmation. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is routinely scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria, as well as ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite often being labeled as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Antrim, PA, the superior detection accuracy of hair tests becomes evident. Hair tests are more reliable, offering an extended detection window and decreasing the likelihood of false negatives. This makes it a preferable choice for entities seeking comprehensive substance use screening.
Hair follicle testing in Antrim, PA offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This period provides employers with a broad overview of an individual’s substance history, surpassing the limited scope of other testing methods. Such comprehensive data supports informed decision-making in employment and legal settings.
Hair follicle tests, employed in Antrim, PA, are recognized for their tamper-resistant qualities, significantly reducing the potential for sample adulteration. This method ensures reliable and indisputable results, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process and subsequently fostering trust in the findings provided.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including local sites in Antrim, PA, our services ensure easy and hassle-free access to drug testing. This accessibility alleviates the logistical burdens often associated with testing, making it straightforward for individuals and employers to perform necessary screenings promptly.
In Antrim, PA, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is both simple and confidential. Individuals can be assured that privacy is respected, with all stages of testing designed for ease of use. This ensures a smooth experience, accommodating privacy concerns and reducing stress.
Our hair follicle testing services in Antrim, PA are characterized by affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This competitive offering provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring that companies can maintain standards while keeping costs manageable.
The hair follicle drug test is acclaimed in Antrim, PA for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests boast high precision in detecting substance use, offering clear insights into an individual's habits. The swift turnaround time ensures minimal waiting, allowing employers and individuals to make informed decisions efficiently.
For employers in Antrim, PA, hair follicle testing serves as a pathway to ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method enhances workplace safety, mitigates legal risks, and provides peace of mind, knowing that the environment is maintained according to established guidelines and standards.
