Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bradford, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance use. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and pharmaceuticals by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. Acquiring hair near the scalp can offer up to an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drug markers. The collection of hair is straightforward, making tampering challenging, while shipment remains hassle-free.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, serving as the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The core steps in the lab handling of a drug testing specimen include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any needed data entry not addressed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a primary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug presence in most samples, a positive result during Screening requires confirmation for legal proceedings. Positively presumed samples in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting unique challenges to hair drug screening execution.

Confirmation of any screening positives is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumed positives undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The complete lab process is scrutinized from Accessioning to Confirmation under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with limited detection periods.
• Challenging to bypass: The integrity of hair drug tests is hard to compromise, ensuring greater result reliability.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a chronological pattern of drug consumption rather than isolated recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become identifiable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing incurs higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing in Bradford, PA, offers numerous benefits over traditional urine tests. Unmatched detection accuracy and reliability set them apart, providing insights into an individual's substance history over a longer period. Employers and legal authorities prefer hair tests for their superior ability to detect drug use consistency and overall effectiveness in long-term monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Bradford, PA, provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing the capability of urine tests. This lengthy detection period allows employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use patterns, delivering a thorough understanding of their history. Such insights are invaluable for making informed decisions about potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Bradford, PA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant testing method. This process drastically decreases the risk of sample adulteration, assuring reliable results. The high integrity of hair tests makes them a preferred choice for employers and legal systems seeking authoritative evidence in substance use assessment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Bradford, PA, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. Our widespread network ensures ease of access to essential testing services, eliminating the hassles and delays often associated with less widespread testing options. This geographic flexibility ensures swift and smooth testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Bradford, PA, for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to results, the streamlined approach is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. This discreet process respects individual concerns and provides peace of mind through its focus on confidential handling and efficient service delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bradford, PA, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our competitive pricing structure provides excellent value, making quality testing accessible to businesses of all sizes. Coupled with our rapid results reporting, this combination supports informed decision-making without sacrificing cost or efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bradford, PA, hair follicle tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are lauded for their precision, providing high accuracy in identifying drug use. The efficient process ensures that results are returned promptly, allowing for quicker decision-making in various settings. This testing choice offers confidence in the results due to its dependable methodology.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Bradford, PA, hair follicle testing brings compliance and peace of mind to employers. Utilizing such testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks while enhancing overall workplace safety. This testing method secures confidence in maintaining a safe and compliant work environment, benefiting both employers and employees alike.

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