Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ingram, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now widely recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by retaining biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal use of alcohol and other substances over roughly a 3-month period. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, suitable for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It’s best to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result includes four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is processed into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional necessary data entry if not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as the initial rapid check for illegal drug presence. While Screening helps to economically rule out drug use in most samples, positive screening tests must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Presumptive positives from Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample for processing in Extraction. At this stage, drugs are separated from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging to perform.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing when necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the framework of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which provide a shorter time frame.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing test result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a timeline of drug usage beyond just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent usage: Drugs typically appear in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Variables like hair color and differing hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Ingram, PA stands out against traditional urine tests in several ways.

• Extended Detection Period: Hair tests monitor substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests based on short-term use.
• Reliability: It's nearly impossible to tamper with hair samples, ensuring honest results.

For those relying on accuracy, hair testing offers better assurance compared to urine tests, which are limited by their narrow detection windows. Discover why many in Ingram choose hair follicle tests for their drug screening needs.

Extended Detection Window

Ingram's hair follicle testing shines with its extended detection window.

• Capture drug history over 90 days, offering employers a detailed understanding of an individual's substance habits.
• A valuable tool for identifying long-term patterns of drug use absent in short-term tests like urine.

This broader timeframe is key for those who prioritize a detailed assessment, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method implemented in Ingram, PA is designed to minimize tampering.

• Security: Hair samples collected under observation resist adulteration, ensuring firm, trustworthy results.
• Counteractions of potential misconduct offer assurance unmatched by urine tests, making it harder to alter.

Organizations and individuals alike benefit from the unparalleled integrity conferred by hair tests, providing peace of mind and certainty.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our services extend conveniently with nationwide testing locations and locally in Ingram, PA.

• Accessibility: Testing sites are strategically positioned for easy access, avoiding unnecessary travel.
• Simplicity: Effortless scheduling and rapid processing set our centers apart, exemplifying customer ease.

The efficient structure also ensures minimized downtime, allowing focus to remain on productivity and workforce management without interruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ingram, PA enjoys a simple, confidential process for hair follicle testing services.

• Enjoy the straightforward order, test, and result process designed with privacy at its core.
• Concerns regarding confidentiality are tightly held, as personal data remains secure.

Participants can trust that their information and identities remain protected while obtaining accurate drug testing solutions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures in Ingram, PA, hair follicle testing affords affordability alongside excellence.

• Value: Cost-effective solutions without sacrificing testing integrity, helping all company sizes meet their objectives affordably.
• Efficiency: Fast turnaround times boost your ability to respond quickly to test findings while aligning costs with positive business outcomes.

Providing sustainability through well-calculated pricing plans ensures each client receives valuable services at reasonable rates.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug testing available in Ingram, PA ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results. Our advanced methods allow for quick assessments, helping individuals and organizations make informed decisions.

The precision of the test ensures that even trace amounts of substances are detected, demonstrating unparalleled accuracy. Hair follicle tests are a cornerstone for those requiring reliable outcomes from drug detection procedures.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Ingram, PA propels workplace security by ensuring compliance with drug-free policies.

• Decision Clarity: Employers gain insight into employees' prolonged drug habits, crucial for maintaining safety standards.
• Address legal considerations with rigorous, transparent testing methods that align with zero-tolerance policies.

The overarching goal is to protect organizations through precise protocols and effective drug screening measures, reducing workplace incidences.

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