Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing has emerged as a vital approach for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer up to a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, rather challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory process for analyzing a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system, which entails ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial and rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to discount drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for it to be valid in legal contexts. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.
If a Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much inferior concentration than when using methodologies such as urine or oral fluid, emphasizing why hair drug screening is the most intricate methodology.
Positive Screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. Any presumptive positives undergo washing as required before Confirmation. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both 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 analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests due to its superior reliability and accuracy in Browntown, PA. Unlike urine tests, hair testing detects longer-term substance use, providing a clearer overall picture.
Employers and professionals in various sectors benefit from hair testing's advanced detection capabilities, which surpass routine urine testing.
In Browntown, PA, one major advantage of hair testing is its extended detection window, allowing for up to 90 days of substance history tracking. This offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual's drug use.
The extended period gives businesses in-depth insight into whether employees or candidates have engaged in drug use over a significant time frame.
Hair follicle testing, practiced in Browntown, PA, is renowned for minimizing the potential for tampering, ensuring that results are unquestionably accurate and trustworthy.
This method's resilience against sample tampering positions it as an optimal choice for situations demanding integrity and validity in testing outcomes.
With a network of nationwide testing centers, including convenient local sites in Browntown, PA, accessing hair follicle testing services is both straightforward and hassle-free.
This widespread availability ensures that testing remains accessible and efficient, benefiting individuals and businesses alike.
The hair follicle testing process in Browntown, PA, is designed to be simple and confidential, providing users with a stress-free experience from ordering to obtaining results.
This seamless process respects privacy concerns, offering an easy-to-follow procedure that assures users of discretion and simplicity throughout.
In Browntown, PA, our hair testing services are recognized for their competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, ensuring cost-effectiveness and rapid delivery of results.
This affordable approach offers significant value, appealing to companies of all sizes by balancing budgetary needs and quality service.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests are exceptional, particularly in Browntown, PA. These tests provide quick, precise indications of substance use, offering a reliable analysis that's difficult to surpass.
With high precision, hair testing can determine drug or alcohol use with robust assurance, ensuring that results are both fast and credible.
Employers in Browntown, PA, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies and alleviates potential legal implications.
Implementing hair testing enhances workplace security and demonstrates an organization's commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
