Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged historical record of alcohol and drug intake by securing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When extracted near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly 3-month period of drug and alcohol activity. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing around 200 strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100 mg of hair, considered the perfect sample size for screening and validation. For EtG tests, supplemental assessments, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, a 150 mg specimen is advised. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome typically comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a specimen into a laboratory's system. This process verifies that the specimen was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any ancillary data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a budget-friendly mechanism to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result from the screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. All samples that indicate presumptive positivity in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a presumptive positive emerge during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
The Confirmation of any positive screen results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, any presumptively positive samples undergo washing as necessary. Both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards oversee the comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In Export, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing with its superior detection capabilities. The accuracy and reliability of hair tests mean they're preferred for ensuring drug-free policies.
Compared to urine testing, hair follicle tests offer a broader detection period, making them invaluable tools for many organizations in need of thorough screening.
Offering a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Export, PA provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history.
This extended timeframe is crucial for employers aiming to ensure a drug-free environment. As a result, hair tests are increasingly the go-to choice for detailed substance use assessments.
Hair follicle testing in Export, PA is known for its tamper-resistant qualities. The difficulty in adulterating hair samples ensures results remain credible and indisputable.
This naturally tamper-proof approach offers peace of mind, reducing concerns of compromise and boosting confidence in test outcomes.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including accessible locations in Export, PA, our services are designed to be quick, easy, and hassle-free for everyone involved.
This widespread availability ensures that individuals and companies can promptly find and utilize testing facilities, ensuring swift and efficient test processing.
The hair testing process in Export, PA is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use and privacy from ordering to result delivery.
Addressing any privacy concerns, the straightforward nature of our testing services allows users to engage with confidence, knowing their information remains secure.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid results, the hair follicle testing services in Export, PA provide exceptional value for businesses of any size.
This affordability combined with quick turnaround times ensures companies can monitor safety standards without strain on their resources, solidifying peace of mind across the board.
Hair follicle testing in Export, PA stands out for its precision and swiftness. Its high accuracy is unmatched when it comes to detecting various substances, offering results that decision-makers can depend on.
A swift turnaround time guarantees that employers and agencies get reliable data quickly. This efficiency is crucial when timing is of the essence in decision-making processes.
Incorporating hair follicle testing in Export, PA aligns with compliance requirements for drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.
By adhering to rigorous testing standards, employers can maintain peace of mind, knowing that they are contributing to a drug-free and safe workplace.
