Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive record of such substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can reveal up to a roughly three-month period of alcohol and drug use. This method is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to send.
A strand sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, suitable for both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t present, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other variants (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in a lab encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes entering a sample into a lab’s system. This process confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be substantiated for it to be valid in court. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening need additional confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, if necessary. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is of the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests in Folsom, PA, the former showcases superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing's ability to detect drug use over extended periods provides employers with a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history, enhancing decision-making efficacy.
Hair follicle testing in Folsom, PA, offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This provides employers with a thorough evaluation of an individual's substance abuse record, which contributes significantly to informed hiring and monitoring processes.
In Folsom, PA, hair follicle tests provide an almost tamper-proof solution for drug testing. The testing method significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring the delivery of trustworthy and definitive results for employers and other stakeholders.
Folsom, PA, benefits from convenient testing locations both locally and nationwide. Our strategically placed centers allow easy access to drug testing services, ensuring a hassle-free experience that meets the needs of individuals and employers alike.
In Folsom, PA, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to obtaining results, we prioritize privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns regarding ease of use and safeguarding personal information.
Folsom, PA, residents can expect competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing. This provides excellent value, supporting companies of all sizes with measurable financial savings and timely results.
In Folsom, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and rapidity. Their accuracy surpasses traditional methods, capturing substance use with remarkable reliability. This ensures that both employers and regulatory bodies receive dependable outcomes, facilitating informed decision-making processes.
Employers in Folsom, PA benefit from hair follicle testing through enhanced compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, organizations can mitigate legal risks and improve work environment safety, ensuring operational continuity and security.
