Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become a recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures biomarkers in its fibers, offering a comprehensive history of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair can reflect up to about a 3-month usage history for alcohol and drugs. Hair sample collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional panels, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is ideal. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we are referring exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial, swift examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court use. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Atlasburg, PA, offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Not only does it provide a longer detection window, but it also delivers more reliable results. Hair tests effectively track substances over weeks rather than days, preventing minor slip-throughs.
Traditional urine tests reveal substance use within a limited timeframe, but hair testing excels in longevity detection. The hair follicle method ensures that drug use isn't easily overlooked, presenting a clearer history of substance use for those adopting it.
In Atlasburg, PA, hair follicle testing exposes drug usage over a significantly extended duration. This ability to reveal drug use up to 90 days outmatches other testing options, giving a comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance history.
Employers leverage this extended detection window, allowing for informed assessments of potential hires or current employees. Hair tests shine in their capacity to summarize an individual's activity over months, providing a broader perspective on their tendencies.
The integrity of hair follicle drug tests in Atlasburg, PA, lies in their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples offer remarkable resistance to adulteration, ensuring results remain unquestionable and dependable.
Employers can trust hair testing for its robustness against tampering attempts, reducing risks of misinterpretation due to compromised samples. Such reliability fortifies its position as a crucial test-reporting method, delivering on accuracy and trust.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, including local options in Atlasburg, PA, getting a hair follicle drug test is hassle-free. Our widespread locations make it easy for individuals and businesses to access reliable testing without unnecessary delays.
This accessibility ensures that Atlasburg residents and businesses can rely on a seamless process, eliminating geographical barriers while efficiently delivering testing services.
The hair follicle drug testing process in Atlasburg, PA, is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, testing, and result reception are designed to protect individuals' privacy, ensuring ease of use and discretion throughout.
Each phase is meticulously streamlined to ensure the confidentiality and simplicity of the procedure, addressing any concerns about privacy and ensuring users' comfort in the testing process from start to finish.
In Atlasburg, PA, hair follicle testing services are affordably priced with rapid turnaround. The competitive pricing structures ensure that companies of all sizes receive exceptional value, accompanied by the peace of mind from efficient result delivery.
Our fast processing times guarantee prompt results, so employers can swiftly make informed decisions, supported by our cost-effective solutions catering to diverse business budgets.
In Atlasburg, PA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed in identifying substance use. This method boasts significant accuracy, enabling detection of substances that might be missed by other testing types. It's a steadfast choice for both reliability and rapid results.
The hair test's precision means timely outcomes, crucial for employers requiring quick decision-making. Its accuracy in revealing substance dependencies guarantees credible outcomes, establishing it as a trusted process in Atlasburg’s testing protocols.
Using hair follicle testing in Atlasburg, PA, offers employers compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. It supports the enforcement of strict workplace rules, enhancing overall safety and discipline.
The peace of mind granted through hair testing is invaluable; it fosters trust and assurance that the workplace remains safe and drug-free. Employers gain confidence with this approach to maintain their environment’s integrity and security.