Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The analysis of hair has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair's fibers. A sample procured near the scalp can reveal a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to around 90 days. Hair is effortless to collect, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hair strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields a 100mg sample, the preferred quantity for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplementary assessments, and/or beyond 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If head hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent measure of body hair may be used. In the context of head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test laboratory processing consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the incorporation of a sample into a lab's data system. This step verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, involves generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and ensures the completion of any data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective in ruling out drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal acceptability. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate additional Confirmation.
When a sample yields a positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other practices (e.g., urine or oral fluids), presenting hair drug testing as the most intricate technique.
Confirmation of a positive Screening outcome is performed with either GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All presumptively positive samples undergo a wash before Confirmation, as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the assessment targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In New Castle, PA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests due to its superior accuracy. The reliability in detecting various substances makes it a preferred choice for employers.
Compared to urine tests, hair testing offers a longer detection window, providing more comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history.
The advanced nature of hair testing ensures accurate results, reducing the chances of tampered samples, unlike urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in New Castle, PA, shines with its extended detection window. Offering up to a 90-day history, it provides an insightful view of the individual's substance use.
Employers benefit significantly from the longer detection period of hair tests as it allows a thorough background check.
This extended window helps in assessing an individual's substance habits, making hair follicle testing an effective tool for employers.
Hair follicle testing in New Castle, PA, offers a tamper-resistant method that minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring trust in the results.
Unlike other methods, hair testing provides reliable outcomes, significantly reducing attempts to falsify test samples.
The secure nature of hair tests makes them invaluable for employers and legal proceedings, offering unquestioned results in substance use detection.
Convenience reigns in New Castle, PA, with Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide and local centers providing accessible hair testing services.
Users benefit from the numerous testing locations, ensuring easy access to the services without hassle.
The expansive network of testing centers facilitates quick, straightforward testing processes for everyone in the region.
In New Castle, PA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, easing concerns over privacy.
Ordering, taking, and receiving test results are streamlined procedures, enhancing user experience with confidentiality and simplicity.
The effortless process ensures that individuals and organizations can manage substance testing with minimal disruption.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in New Castle, PA, ensuring value for businesses of all sizes.
The fast turnaround time provides excellent service delivery, crucial for timely decision-making.
This combination of affordability and promptness delivers substantial benefits for organizations looking for cost-effective solutions.
The precision and quickness of hair follicle tests make them an excellent choice for detecting substance use in New Castle, PA. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy, providing reliable results in drug detection.
Employers and individuals appreciate the swift turnaround times of hair follicle assessments, ensuring quick and precise outcomes.
Hair testing's ability to deliver fast and accurate results is unmatched, benefiting those seeking dependable substance use screening.
Employers in New Castle, PA, find peace of mind in hair follicle testing as it ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies and reduces legal risks.
Implementing hair testing enhances workspace safety by providing accurate insights into employees' substance use.
The assurance of accurate compliance supports safer work environments, promoting a zero-tolerance policy effectively.
