Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Regarded as a compelling method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing utilizes hair to capture biomarkers along the growing hair fibers, delivering an extensive record of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair offers an approximate three-month timeframe for detecting substances and is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to dispatch.
Securing a 1.5-inch segment, roughly 200 hair strands akin to a #2 pencil in thickness, near the scalp yields 100mg of hair – the optimal quantity for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 markers, collecting 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be lacking, a comparable amount of body hair might be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it signifies only scalp hair; body hair denotes all other kinds, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The procedure for processing drug test results in the lab encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning begins with entering a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s seal and shipment are intact, provides a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplemental data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an introductory inspection for drug abuse. Although Screening inexpensively dismisses drug use in most samples, court-admissible evidence necessitates confirming a positive screen. Any samples hinting at a positive during Screening require further confirmation.
For specimens indicating a positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves drug extraction from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening remains the most intricate technique.
Any positive results from screening are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with preliminary positive tests undergo washing before confirmation when needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the lab process is evaluated per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in McKeesport, PA: Hair testing offers distinct advantages over urine tests, particularly in its detection scope and reliability. It provides a broader and more reliable assessment by identifying long-term drug use, which is often missed by traditional urine tests.
While urine tests are common, hair follicle tests in McKeesport, PA, demonstrate superior accuracy in identifying drug use histories, making them a more robust option for employers and legal entities looking for dependable testing outcomes.
Extended Detection Window in McKeesport, PA: Hair follicle testing allows for detection over an extended period, up to 90 days, providing a detailed view of an individual's drug use habits. This extended scope is crucial for employers and authorities seeking comprehensive substance history reports.
In McKeesport, PA, the extended detection capabilities of hair follicle tests provide a significant advantage. They capture a well-rounded picture of an individual's drug history, going beyond the short-term snapshot provided by other testing methods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in McKeesport, PA: Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering, ensuring the integrity of results. This method’s resilience against manipulation provides peace of mind in obtaining trustworthy drug use reports.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing makes it a reliable choice for clients in McKeesport, PA. Its ability to withstand adulteration enhances the credibility of the findings, establishing it as a robust alternative to other testing methods.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in McKeesport, PA: Our extensive network of testing centers ensures convenient access to reliable testing services across the nation, including McKeesport, PA.
With easily accessible locations, residents and professionals in McKeesport, PA, experience the ease of obtaining hair follicle testing services quickly and without hassle, simplifying the process of ensuring compliance and accuracy.
Simple, Confidential Process in McKeesport, PA: The straightforward and confidential nature of hair follicle testing assures users of privacy and ease. Engaging in testing, receiving results, and protecting sensitive information is stress-free and uncomplicated.
Clients in McKeesport, PA, can appreciate the smooth process of hair follicle testing that preserves confidentiality throughout. From order to result retrieval, the process is designed to maintain privacy and simplify access to necessary information.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in McKeesport, PA: Competitive pricing and quick result delivery characterize our hair testing services, providing exceptional value to businesses of all sizes.
In McKeesport, PA, businesses benefit from the affordable rates and expedited service of hair follicle testing, ensuring optimal value matched with rapid turnaround, enhancing the overall testing experience with cost-effectiveness and speed.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in McKeesport, PA: Hair follicle tests offer unparalleled precision and efficiency in substance detection. Their ability to deliver rapid and trustworthy outcomes sets them apart, making them a preferred choice for ensuring accurate assessments of drug use.
Clients in McKeesport, PA, benefit from the high accuracy levels of hair drug tests. The speed at which results are available makes these tests highly practical, enhancing their reliability in reporting substance use accurately and swiftly.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in McKeesport, PA: Employing hair follicle testing aids in maintaining compliance with workplace drug policies, minimizing legal risks, and bolstering safety. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace standards.
For McKeesport, PA employers, using hair follicle testing is instrumental in maintaining drug-free environments. It not only enhances safety and legal compliance but also offers reassurance in upholding workplace policies effectively.
