Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hastings, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is considered a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other drugs. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and hassle-free to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample comprising about 200 strands of hair (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-on tests, or panels exceeding ten, 150mg is advisable. We advocate weighing the sample using a jeweler’s balance. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis for a drug test result is structured into four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing phase of a sample into a lab's system. It involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further necessary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an expedited preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While it's a budget-friendly approach to eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive outcome in Screening needs further validation to be court-admissible. Samples deemed presumptively positive must have a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and processed for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (i.e., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to perform.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test positive are cleansed before confirmation as required. The lab processes from Accessioning to Confirmation adhere to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Historical usage pattern: Provides a record of drug usage over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Cost factor: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Hastings, PA, the former demonstrates superior detection accuracy. Hair tests identify long-term drug use, providing reliable insights into an individual's substance history. This method’s precision makes it a valuable tool over urine testing.

The reliability of hair follicle testing surpasses that of urine tests. With a longer detection window, this method offers a comprehensive overview of substance use, strengthening its position as a preferred testing choice.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hastings, PA is renowned for its 90-day detection period, allowing a thorough examination of an individual's substance use. This extended window offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s drug history.

Employers benefit from hair follicle testing due to its ability to unveil long-term drug use. The extended detection period ensures a detailed view of an individual's substance use, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hastings, PA, the hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant method, providing credible and unwavering results. Unlike urine samples, hair testing significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring test authenticity.

Hair testing ensures reliable outcomes, decreasing the likelihood of fraudulent results. This method's robustness in Hastings offers peace of mind, preserving the integrity of the testing process with unquestionable accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers nationwide, including Hastings, PA, employers find hair testing accessible and hassle-free. Our network of facilities ensures swift and seamless access to hair testing services.

In Hastings, PA, the availability of testing centers guarantees easy scheduling for employers and individuals. This wide-ranging accessibility allows for fast and convenient drug testing at various locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Hastings, PA is designed to be simple and confidential, safeguarding privacy at every step. The process of ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward and discreet.

Assuring confidentiality, hair testing alleviates privacy concerns. The seamless procedure and guaranteed discretion ensure participants experience a hassle-free testing process in Hastings.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Hastings, PA, provides exceptional value. The competitive rates ensure businesses of all sizes benefit from precise and timely results.

Emphasizing cost-effectiveness, the testing process assures swift outcomes, demonstrating excellent value for investment. This makes it an attractive option for companies looking to manage expenses efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hastings, PA, hair follicle drug testing is recognized for its rapid and precise results. Testing detects substance use with remarkable accuracy, delivering dependable outcomes swiftly. The advanced methodology ensures negligible errors, offering reliable data in a short timeframe.

Hair follicle testing stands out for its expeditious process, seamlessly integrating with the needs of employers in Hastings. Accurate detection of substance use promptly supports decision-making, making it a top choice for screening purposes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hastings, PA gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety standards.

By employing hair follicle testing, businesses in Hastings can ensure adherence to stringent substance policies. The test facilitates a safer environment, underlining its importance in maintaining workplace drug compliance effectively.

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