Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means to trace drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows, hair offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake. When obtained near the scalp, hair provides up to a three-month detection period for substances. Collecting hair is an easy process, with limited risk of tampering, and it is straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) taken close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. The sample should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used, recognizing that 'head hair' refers solely to scalp hair while 'body hair' includes types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug tests encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step where a sample is entered into the lab’s workflow. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and ensures any remaining data entry tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system are completed.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal use. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than seen in other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.
Confirming any positive screening result employs techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples go through washing as required before Confirmation. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Marianna, PA, hair follicle testing provides a distinct advantage over traditional urine tests. The benefits of hair testing include a longer detection window and higher accuracy, making it a preferred choice for employers and courts. Unlike urine tests, which only capture recent substance use, hair tests offer a comprehensive analysis of long-term drug habits, providing a reliable and in-depth overview.
One of the outstanding features of hair follicle testing in Marianna, PA, is its extended detection window. This method can accurately identify drug use up to 90 days prior, giving employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance usage history. It provides essential insights into patterns that might not be visible through shorter-term testing methods, enabling more informed decisions.
The hair follicle testing method in Marianna, PA, is known for its strong tamper-resistant properties. This process significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and unquestionable. Such robust integrity makes hair testing a trusted method among professionals who require confidence in the accuracy and authenticity of their drug testing results.
Accredited Drug Testing’s network includes convenient nationwide testing locations, making access to testing services in Marianna, PA, quick and simple. With numerous centers across the country and local options, individuals benefit from fast, easy, and hassle-free testing experiences. Our widespread reach ensures that testing services are available wherever and whenever they are needed.
In Marianna, PA, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results can happen with minimal fuss, addressing concerns regarding privacy and ease. The streamlined procedure emphasizes discretion and user-friendliness, encouraging more individuals and organizations to take advantage of this thorough testing method.
Our commitment to affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Marianna, PA, underscores the value we offer. Accredited Drug Testing ensures competitive rates and speedy results, providing excellent value to companies of all sizes. Our efficient services help companies make timely decisions without financial strain, contributing to a more secure workplace environment.
Hair follicle drug testing in Marianna, PA, ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of this method is unmatched, providing clear insights into substance use with minimal delay. The efficiency allows individuals and organizations to obtain comprehensive results quickly, enhancing decision-making processes while maintaining high standards of detection accuracy.
For employers in Marianna, PA, hair follicle testing facilitates compliance with workplace substance policies, offering peace of mind. This method supports maintaining a drug-free environment, minimizing legal liabilities, and promoting enhanced safety at work. The reliability and integrity of hair testing help ensure that workplace policies are both enforced and effective.
