Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a long-term record of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month history for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equates to 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, extras, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equal amount of body hair may be utilized. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key processes in laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the first processing phase of a sample into a lab’s system, including verification of proper sealing and shipment, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances. While screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate substance use in most samples, a positive screen must be affirmed to be viable in legal settings. Samples suggesting a positive result in screening demand a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample hints at positivity during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening result takes place via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Cowansburg, PA can be attributed to its superior detection capabilities. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle assessments offer a more reliable reading, minimizing false positives and negatives. With an ability to detect a range of substances long after they've been ingested, hair tests afford a clearer, more accurate picture of an individual's substance use history.
Extended Detection Window in Cowansburg, PA positions hair follicle testing as a superior choice for assessing an applicant or employee’s substance history. Unlike shorter detection options, such as urine tests, hair tests offer visibility of up to 90 days. This extended window offers employers detailed historical insights, enabling them to make well-informed hiring decisions based on comprehensive substance use profiles.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cowansburg, PA underscores the reliability of hair follicle assessments. By significantly reducing the possibility of adulterating samples, these tests deliver credible, unquestionable results. The collection process is observed directly, eliminating opportunities for tampering or substitutions, thereby enhancing the integrity and trustworthiness of the outcomes in drug screening programs.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Cowansburg, PA ensures seamless access to hair follicle testing services. With an extensive network of centers available nationwide, individuals can enjoy quick, easy, and hassle-free testing procedures. Our local sites allow for swift collections, minimizing downtimes and delays, thus facilitating efficient scheduling for all your testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Cowansburg, PA guarantees a straightforward approach when dealing with drug testing. From order placement to result retrieval, the procedure is designed to protect user privacy and maintain ease of access. Clients are assured of confidentiality at every stage, with transparent protocols that ensure simplicity and discretion throughout the testing cycle.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cowansburg, PA offers organizations of any size peace of mind through cost-efficient solutions. Our competitive pricing models coupled with rapid result turnaround serve to enhance value, enabling businesses to continue their operations without interruption. This approach ensures accessible, prompt, and dependable testing catered to diverse needs and budgets.
Precision and Speed of Hair Follicle Testing in Cowansburg, PA guarantees fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. Hair follicle drug tests are adept in identifying substance use due to their meticulous analysis and expedited result delivery. This makes them a preferred choice for precise substance detection, offering high accuracy in revealing even minimal levels of drug intake, providing an effective screening tool.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cowansburg, PA highlights the assurance hair follicle testing provides in upholding drug-free workplace policies. This method helps mitigate legal risks and amplifies workplace safety. By adhering to rigorous testing standards, employers are better positioned to comply with regulatory requirements and foster an environment of responsibility and health, ensuring comprehensive substance testing methods.
