Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly viewed as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of about three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four vital steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial intake of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes verifying the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that appear positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample exhibits a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction preparation. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed “hair follicle tests,†the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Near Bradford Hills, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in several ways. Hair tests are known for their superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering a clearer picture.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing captures a longer history of substance use, aiding authorities and employers in making more reliable evaluations.
Bradford Hills, PA, holds hair follicle testing in high regard due to its extended detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This offers employers a thorough perspective of an individual's substance history.
Such comprehensive insights are essential for employers seeking detailed reports on potential hires or current employees.
In Bradford Hills, PA, hair follicle tests offer a robust defense against tampering. This method significantly reduces the possibility of altering results, delivering unquestionable outcomes.
Employers benefit from the reliable data obtained, ensuring confidence in the integrity of the testing process.
In Bradford Hills, PA, our widespread testing centers provide convenience with their quick and reliable access, ensuring hassle-free service for all.
The availability of nationwide locations aligns with the needs of individuals seeking a testing facility that fits their schedule with ease.
Bradford Hills, PA, offers a straightforward and confidential process for undertaking hair follicle tests, ensuring privacy from ordering to receiving results.
The simplicity of the process alleviates any concern over complexities, making it user-friendly and confidential.
Competitively priced and offering swift results, our services in Bradford Hills, PA, provide excellent value for companies both big and small.
Efficient turnaround times complement our affordable pricing, making it an attractive solution for businesses seeking fast results.
In Bradford Hills, PA, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle testing are unmatched. These tests offer high accuracy in identifying substance use, significantly reducing errors in results.
Employers and authorities benefit from the swift processes involved in hair testing, ensuring that decisions based on these results are both informed and timely.
Using hair follicle tests in Bradford Hills, PA, ensures that employers comply with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks.
These tests address various safety concerns, enhancing the work environment by confirming compliance with zero-tolerance policies.