Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening is recognized as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair in growth. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers nearly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect size for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically indicate scalp hair. All other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.) are referred to as body hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the primary processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This process includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Loag, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests with superior accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer extended detection, identifying drug use up to 90 days, unlike the limited timeframe of urine tests. This ensures employers and institutions can confidently assess substance use history, minimizing the risk of false negatives and securing more informative results.
Through hair follicle testing in Loag, PA, employers gain insight into substance use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides a thorough overview of an individual's drug history, aiding in well-rounded evaluations. Such long-term detection complements existing procedures, offering critical insights into behavioral patterns that shorter-duration tests might miss.
Hair follicle testing in Loag, PA is recognized for being tamper-resistant. Its design significantly lessens the chance of sample manipulation, ensuring credible results. Unlike other testing procedures, hair tests are hard to adulterate, providing a secure and trustworthy substance use assessment method for employers and legal entities.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts convenient testing locations throughout Loag, PA, and nationwide. Our facilities ensure quick and hassle-free access to testing services for all clients. Whether local or across the country, our centers offer ease and efficiency, simplifying the testing process for both employers and individuals.
In Loag, PA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are designed to protect privacy and ease of use. This streamlined approach ensures that individuals and employers alike can complete the necessary steps with confidence, knowing that their information is handled securely and efficiently.
At Accredited Drug Testing, we pride ourselves on offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Loag, PA. Our competitive rates and quick results provide excellent value for companies of all sizes. This ensures organizations can maintain their policies without overextending budgets while relying on efficient services for their testing needs.
Hair follicle drug tests in Loag, PA offer unmatched precision and speed. Their high accuracy in identifying substance use sets them apart. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests ensure fast and reliable results, ensuring timely actions and decisions for both individuals and organizations. This makes them a preferred choice for thorough substance detection.
Employers in Loag, PA benefit from hair follicle testing, which enhances compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method helps reduce legal risks and fosters a safer work environment. By choosing hair tests, companies can maintain a trustworthy and compliant atmosphere, offering peace of mind and upholding integrity throughout the organization.
