Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Desales University, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-term traces of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair has the potential to reveal alcohol and drug use within a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A specimen measuring 1.5 inches, which consists of about 200 hair strands (approximately as thick as a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The core procedure in the lab's handling of a drug test result is comprised of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary incorporation of a sample within a lab's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input lacking from an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Although Screening is an economical method for eliminating drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. All samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a preliminary positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and made ready for Extraction. At this point, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.

Assurance of any positive Screening result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo cleaning before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is assessed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests have the ability to identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a reduced detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very unlikely, thus ensuring more precise results.
• Provides timeline data: It can reveal a sequential pattern of drug use, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: There is a 5-7 day interval before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result inconsistency: Elements such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests hold distinct advantages over traditional urine tests in DeSales University, PA. With greater detection accuracy and reliability, these tests offer a comprehensive view of an individual’s drug history. While urine tests have their uses, hair testing is superior in identifying long-term substance use, often serving as a more trustworthy method for employers aiming to enforce strict drug-free policies, ensuring optimal workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing at DeSales University, PA, stands out with its extensive detection window, keeping track of drug use up to 90 days. This feature provides employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use, allowing for informed decisions on hiring and continued employment. This comprehensive timeframe ensures that significant drug history is available, crucial for maintaining a reliable workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In DeSales University, PA, hair follicle tests reduce the possibility of sample tampering, delivering dependable results. The method's resistance to manipulation assures accuracy, instilling trust and integrity in the drug testing process. This reliability is key for institutions and employers seeking unquestionable outcomes, promoting a culture of transparency and accountability in essential health and safety assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

DeSales University, PA, benefits from the widespread network of drug testing centers, offering convenience and accessibility. These locations provide smooth access to testing services, ensuring operations are efficient, and participants experience ease and simplicity from start to finish. The varied locales allow for minimal disruptions and timely fulfillments of necessary testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

In DeSales University, PA, hair follicle testing guarantees a simple and confidential process, from ordering to receiving results. Privacy is respected at every stage, addressing concerns effectively while enhancing user experience. This streamlined approach ensures a seamless testing journey, giving participants confidence in the security and discretion of the entire process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and swift processing times, hair follicle testing at DeSales University, PA, provides excellent value for companies. Affordability paired with fast turnaround assures businesses of all sizes achieve peace of mind, cost-efficiency, and ensured compliance without the need for compromises on quality or accuracy of test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

At DeSales University, PA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with rapid, accurate, and dependable results. These tests excel in swiftly detecting substance use with high precision, offering a reliable assessment that benefits institutions and employers alike. Utilizing advanced techniques, hair testing not only assures speedy results but also enhances the credibility of the findings, making it an indispensable tool for drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By employing hair follicle testing in DeSales University, PA, employers can achieve compliance with workplace drug-free policies effortlessly. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing assurance and tranquility. It ensures a responsible and secure environment, mitigating concerns legal and operational by upholding stringent standards against substance use.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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