Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Norristown, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now acknowledged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can offer an extended history of alcohol and other substance use by retaining biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate a detection window for alcohol and drugs up to three months. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample amount needed for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests over 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not present, an equal quantity of body hair might be used. When referring to head hair, scalp hair is implied. Body hair encompasses all other hair types, like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample in a lab’s system. This includes verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift check for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid in a legal setting. Samples indicated as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples testing presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction step. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the challenge of hair drug screening.

Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation upholds both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Supplies historical insight: It can disclose a pattern of drug use over time, and not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth variations may influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the testing involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Norristown, PA, hair follicle testing offers several advantages over urine tests. Primarily, hair testing provides superior detection over extended periods, making it more reliable for employers who need to assess an individual's history with substances. The accuracy and dependability of hair tests make them an invaluable tool for organizations and institutions prioritizing safety and compliance.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle screenings have a comprehensive detection window that includes a wider range of substances. This extended capability allows employers in Norristown, PA, to make informed decisions based on a more complete view of an individual's substance use.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a major benefit for employers in Norristown, PA. While urine tests can detect recent drug use, hair tests reveal substance use up to 90 days prior, providing a well-rounded view of an individual's habits. This long detection period is invaluable for monitoring compliance and ensuring a drug-free environment.

Hair follicle tests go beyond recent consumption by offering a comprehensive history of drug use. This extended insight helps employers in Norristown, PA, to assess potential employees’ or current staff’s long-term substance use patterns, supporting more informed decision-making in creating a safer workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Norristown, PA, provides a tamper-resistant method for analyzing drug use, greatly reducing the chances of sample adulteration. Unlike urine tests that are susceptible to manipulation, hair tests ensure integrity, offering reliable and uncontaminated results that maintain credibility in the testing process.

The reliability of hair follicle testing comes from its highly resistant nature to tampering, ensuring trustworthy results for employers in Norristown, PA. By choosing hair tests, companies can rest assured that they are receiving undistorted test outcomes beneficial for maintaining workplace safety standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient testing locations, both locally in Norristown, PA, and nationwide, ensures that hair follicle testing services are readily accessible. These centers prioritize ease of access, making drug testing straightforward for individuals and enterprises requiring quick service.

With numerous testing centers, including those in Norristown, PA, conducting hair follicle tests becomes a hassle-free process. The widespread availability of testing facilities allows clients to benefit from efficient, streamlined testing experiences that fit their schedules and needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simple and confidential process for conducting hair follicle tests in Norristown, PA, addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. From ordering a test to receiving results, the process is straightforward, emphasizing confidentiality and user-friendliness, so individuals feel secure and informed.

Clients in Norristown, PA, appreciate the straightforward approach to hair follicle testing. The seamless procedure, from test initiation to completion, guarantees privacy and simplicity, making it ideal for those prioritizing a discreet and efficient testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Norristown, PA, hair follicle testing is offered with affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. Competitive pricing structures make these reliable testing methods accessible for businesses of all sizes, providing significant value without sacrificing peace of mind regarding the accuracy of results.

Value and efficiency are central to hair follicle testing in Norristown, PA. The combination of cost-effective pricing and quick results makes it an attractive solution for companies seeking thorough substance use assessments without delay, maintaining budgetary considerations while ensuring reliable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable solutions are what clients in Norristown, PA, can expect from hair follicle drug tests. These tests are known for their remarkable accuracy in identifying substance use over traditional testing methods. With advanced testing technology, results are precise and provided swiftly, ensuring timely information for employers or individuals requiring immediate insights.

The precision and speed of hair follicle tests set them apart, offering profound reliability in detecting substance use. Thanks to modern testing advancements, these tests deliver highly accurate outcomes, making them a preferred choice for those seeking assured results in Norristown, PA.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Norristown, PA, using hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with workplace drug policies. By implementing this method, businesses can minimize legal risks and maximize workplace safety, providing peace of mind through consistent and reliable drug testing procedures that uphold company standards.

Hair follicle testing supports companies in Norristown, PA, by reinforcing a drug-free environment, which is crucial for maintaining a secure workplace. This method helps employers meet legal requirements while providing comfort in knowing their policies are being supported through proven testing methodologies.

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