Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now seen as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronicling tool by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When collected close to the head, hair can show drug and alcohol use up to roughly three months back. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, an optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG assessments, supplementary tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair constitutes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory’s drug testing procedure comprises four chief stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This phase ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening offers a swift preliminary assessment for possible drug usage. Though Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening must be verified to be legally defensible. Any samples that test positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests preliminarily positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are separated from hair at reduced concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the strand of hair rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
When comparing hair tests with traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing stands out due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Where urine tests may offer limited insights, hair testing provides comprehensive substance use data.
Extended Detection Window in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
Hair follicle testing's extended detection range, up to 90 days, offers an in-depth view of substance history for employers. Such comprehensive data ensures informed decisions regarding employee drug use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. This method ensures the integrity and authenticity of results, providing certainty to institutions concerned with drug use accuracy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
With our nationwide testing centers, accessing drug tests is straightforward and convenient. Quick, easy, hassle-free services are just around the corner for residents of Conashaugh Lakes.
Simple, Confidential Process in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
Our process is streamlined to ensure simplicity and confidentiality, from ordering to test-taking and result retrieval. This straightforward approach respects privacy and ensures ease of use for every client.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
We offer competitive pricing along with rapid turnaround times, ensuring cost-effective solutions for companies of all sizes. Our services deliver excellent value and peace of mind.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
Hair follicle testing provides fast and precise results, known for its high accuracy in detecting various substances. This method offers reliability and speed, crucial for organizations requiring accurate drug testing outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Conashaugh Lakes, PA
Employers can assure a drug-free workplace through hair follicle testing, reducing the risk of legal issues and improving safety. This method ensures adherence to zero-tolerance policies seamlessly.
