Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug usage by retaining biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When samples are collected near the scalp, they can offer about a 3-month detection time frame for alcohol and drugs. Hair sampling is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation testing. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially entered into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample’s seal and shipment were intact; assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number); and completes any additional data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for commonly abused drugs. While Screening can cost-effectively eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Any samples displaying presumptive positives in Screening undergo a secondary validation.
Should Screening yield a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch for the Extraction phase. Drugs are separated from hair at a lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral samples), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Confirmation of any positive screen is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are subject to required cleansing. The whole lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual assessment targets the hair strand rather than the subcutaneous hair follicle.
Hair Follicle Testing vs. Urine Testing: In Catawissa, PA, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests due to their superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can identify recent drug use, hair tests provide an extended overview, capturing a longer history of substance use, which is invaluable for employers and legal purposes.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Catawissa, PA, provides a thorough analysis of drug use stretching up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe grants employers insight into an individual's substance use history, offering a more comprehensive perspective than shorter-term tests, ensuring informed decisions on hiring and retention.
Hair follicle testing in Catawissa, PA, is notably tamper-resistant, reducing the risk of sample manipulation significantly. This method’s inherent design ensures the authenticity of the results, providing reliable and unquestioned outcomes crucial for maintaining integrity within testing processes.
Our testing services in Catawissa, PA, boast nationwide centers, ensuring conveniently located facilities for easy access to hair follicle drug testing. This widespread availability makes the process hassle-free and quick for both local residents and those needing wide-ranging access, ensuring seamless service delivery.
In Catawissa, PA, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential. Designed to respect privacy, the procedure is easy to navigate, addressing any concerns about confidentiality, ensuring a stress-free experience for all involved parties.
We offer competitive pricing for our hair follicle drug testing in Catawissa, PA, coupled with rapid turnaround times. This balance provides exceptional value for companies of any size, ensuring affordability without sacrificing the speed and reliability of the test results.
Hair follicle drug testing in Catawissa, PA, offers unparalleled precision and rapid results. These tests are highly accurate in detecting substance use, significantly beneficial for both employers and individuals seeking reliable outcomes. The method's accuracy ensures that results are trustworthy and delivered promptly, allowing for swift decision-making and peace of mind.
Employers in Catawissa, PA, benefit from using hair follicle tests as they align with drug-free workplace policies. This compliance minimizes legal risks and enhances safety, offering peace of mind that workplace standards are met and employees operate in a secure environment.
