Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they develop. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to roughly three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is somewhat challenging, and shipping is convenient.
An ideal screening and confirmation sample consists of a 1.5-inch portion containing roughly 200 strands, akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil, and yields 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, and any test exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for accuracy is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. "Head hair" pertains specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" refers to all other kinds (such as facial and axillary).
Process Summary
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating the sample into a lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample remains sealed and properly transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any manual data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial assessment for substance abuse. While economical and effective for ruling out drug presence in most cases, court-admissible results necessitate confirmation of any positive findings. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during screening require further confirmation.
If presumptive positivity is indicated in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is utilized for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains the complexity of hair drug testing.
Positive results from Screening undergo confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Hair drug testing offers these benefits:
Challenges:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing is the superior choice compared to traditional urine tests in Fredericksburg, PA. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis is not easily evaded and offers enhanced accuracy.
In Fredericksburg, PA, hair follicle testing is valued for its extended detection window. This capability gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use over the past 90 days, compared to traditional methods.
Fredericksburg, PA prioritizes tamper-resistant drug screening through hair follicle tests. This method's reliability significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration, resulting in unquestionable outcomes.
Fredericksburg, PA offers convenient nationwide testing locations, ensuring accessibility and ease. Our centers provide quick and hassle-free hair follicle testing services.
Our process in Fredericksburg, PA is straightforward and confidential. The ease of ordering, conducting, and receiving results prioritizes privacy.
In Fredericksburg, PA, our services emphasize affordable pricing and rapid results. We offer competitive rates and quick turnaround times, providing excellent value to businesses.
In Fredericksburg, PA, hair follicle drug testing offers fast, precise, and reliable results. These tests ensure accuracy in detecting substance use, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals.
For employers in Fredericksburg, PA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind. This approach supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies and mitigates legal and safety risks.