Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The examination of hair has emerged as a strong instrument for identifying drug and alcohol usage. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand, hair can reveal a long-term history of substances. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, ideal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Specimens should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the sample's initial integration into a lab's system. This process checks that the sample was properly sealed and transported, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data input not provided by an electronic custody chain.
Screening is a preliminary swift analysis for substance misuse. While it efficiently excludes substance use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require further validation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is retrieved from the original sample and set for Extraction. During this phase, substances are withdrawn from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which explains why hair drug testing is the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected positive undergo washing prior to final confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in East Vandergrift, PA, provides superior detection and reliability. Hair testing offers a longer detection period, capturing a more comprehensive history of drug use that is difficult to manipulate. This makes hair testing an excellent choice for ensuring accuracy in drug detection.
Hair follicle testing in East Vandergrift, PA, provides an extended detection window, allowing for substance use monitoring up to 90 days prior. This makes it an invaluable tool for employers aiming to understand an employee or applicant's substance use history, offering a thorough overview of long-term habits.
In East Vandergrift, PA, hair follicle drug testing offers a tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. The integrity of the hair test provides reliable results, ensuring an unquestionable determination of drug use, which is crucial for accurate assessments.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, including East Vandergrift, PA, accredited drug testing is easily accessible, offering quick and hassle-free testing services. This widespread availability ensures that testing is never more than a short trip away, supporting ease of access for all.
In East Vandergrift, PA, ordering and undergoing a hair follicle test is a simple and confidential process. Our procedure addresses privacy concerns and ensures that results are obtained and delivered discreetly, reassuring all parties of the confidentiality and ease inherent in the process.
Our competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times in East Vandergrift, PA, offer excellent value for businesses of any size. With affordable options and swift result processing, we provide peace of mind and economic savings for employer drug testing requirements.
In East Vandergrift, PA, our hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and accuracy, ensuring that results are both reliable and timely. These tests are designed to detect drug use with high precision, guaranteeing dependable outcomes for those who require them. With our efficient processes, you can be confident in receiving fast and accurate results.
Employers in East Vandergrift, PA, benefit from using hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, safeguarding the business from legal risks. This testing not only enhances safety standards but also provides peace of mind knowing all employees adhere to policy standards.
