Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unobtainable, the equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four major stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into a lab’s system. It comprises ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening do necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Birchwood Lakes, PA sees the clear benefits of hair follicle testing over urine analysis. The former delivers a superior detection accuracy, offering reliable insights into substance habits.
Hair follicle testing in Birchwood Lakes, PA triumphs with its remarkable ability to trace drug use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window permits employers and professionals a comprehensive glimpse into an individual’s substance history, vital for recruitment and ongoing evaluations.
In Birchwood Lakes, PA, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant solution, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks. Offering reliable and trustworthy results, it assures professionals of the authenticity and integrity of samples. Its structure prevents common falsification practices, ensuring credibility.
Birchwood Lakes, PA residents enjoy the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing’s extensive network of testing locations across the nation. This accessibility ensures that testing services are swiftly and efficiently provided.
Accessibility eases the user experience offering seamless testing procedures.
The process of hair follicle testing in Birchwood Lakes, PA is simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use from ordering to receiving results. It prioritizes privacy, allowing users to undertake tests confidently.
In Birchwood Lakes, PA, Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround distinguish Accredited Drug Testing’s hair follicle services. Our competitive pricing models provide excellent value while speeding up result delivery, catering effectively to organizations of varied scales.
In Birchwood Lakes, PA, hair follicle drug tests set the standard for fast and accurate results. The method’s excellence in precision is unmatched, offering reliable data on substance usage. The speed at which results are obtained coupled with their correctness ensures that professionals receive trustworthy evaluations, powering informed decisions.
Accurate and timely results are crucial, making hair follicle testing ideal for comprehensive drug assessments.
Employers in Birchwood Lakes, PA greatly benefit from hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with workplace drug policies. This testing method reduces legal liabilities, enhancing workplace safety and promoting a drug-free environment.
Employee compliance is reinforced through meticulous testing protocols respecting company standards.
