Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effectively powerful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately up to a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we’re specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in the laboratory includes four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the first stage of sample integration into a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any necessary data entry missing from an electronic custody chain system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumptively positive samples from Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.
If samples appear presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and is set for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentration levels compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While sometimes referred to as "hair follicle tests", the focus is on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Duncannon, PA. Hair follicle testing offers unbeatable advantages over traditional urine tests, notably in detection accuracy and reliability. Its ability to uncover drug use over extended periods ensures comprehensive assessments.
Extended Detection Window Hair follicle testing in Duncannon allows the detection of drug use for up to 90 days. This capability provides employers with an expansive view of an individual's drug history, enabling better-informed hiring and management decisions.
The extended window offers a more holistic understanding of an employee's substance patterns compared to shorter-term options.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method The hair follicle testing process in Duncannon, PA, significantly reduces the potential for sample tampering. By using a non-intrusive collection that is observed, the process ensures the integrity of results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations With a network of locations nationwide, including in Duncannon, PA, accessing hair follicle testing is seamless. Our facilities offer straightforward and efficient services to cater to all testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process The process for hair follicle testing in Duncannon, PA, is both straightforward and private. From ordering to learning about results, each step preserves confidentiality while ensuring ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround Competitive pricing marks our hair follicle testing in Duncannon, PA, ensuring it is accessible for businesses of all scales. The prompt return of results is coupled with cost-effective solutions.
Quick turaround aligns with budgets while providing reliable assessments, delivering value and reassurance to all stakeholders involved.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results The precision and agility of hair follicle drug testing in Duncannon, PA, set it apart. These tests deliver high accuracy, offering reassurance to those aiming to detect substance use efficiently.
Choosing hair over other testing methods guarantees swift and dependable results. The quick turnaround period ensures decisions can be made without delay, enhancing the utility of this testing method.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Duncannon, PA. Hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method minimizes legal risks and fortifies workplace safety, offering peace of mind for employers.
Implementing hair testing safeguards against potential liabilities, providing a dual benefit of compliance and heightened safety standards.
