Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Irwin, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a compelling method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture and store markers of alcohol and drugs within the fibers of the hair as it grows, providing a prolonged historical record. When hair samples are collected from near the scalp, they can offer around a three-month window for detecting alcohol and drug use. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and samples are easy to transport.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be taken. When we mention head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair; body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage of integrating a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry that is not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result must be confirmed to be legally admissible. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples testing positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, detecting drugs from hair involves lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is particularly complex.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome uses techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample is cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: A hair drug test is hard to manipulate, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Provides usage history: It shows a trend of drug use over a timeframe, rather than pinpointing recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days from initial use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the frequent reference to "hair follicle tests", the process actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in North Irwin, PA. Hair testing stands out due to its superior detection accuracy, offering a more reliable assessment of substance use. Compared to urine tests, hair testing minimizes the risk of false negatives and enhances the comprehensiveness of results.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window is a hallmark of hair follicle testing in North Irwin, PA. It can trace drug use history up to 90 days, allowing employers a panoramic view of an individual's substance history. This prolonged period offers unparalleled insights into an employee or candidate's lifestyle choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In North Irwin, PA, hair follicle tests demonstrate a tamper-resistant testing method, drastically lowering the chances of sample manipulation. This secure approach assures validity and consistency, thus safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including in North Irwin, PA, access to hair follicle testing is fast and straightforward. This network ensures a seamless testing experience, reducing stress and making the process as efficient as possible for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of simple, confidential testing in North Irwin, PA, prioritizes user privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving results, the entire procedure is designed to be user-friendly and discreet, addressing potential concerns regarding confidentiality effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In North Irwin, PA, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing and quick result delivery provide significant value and reassurance for businesses of varying sizes, maintaining quality and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing excels in providing fast, accurate, and reliable results in North Irwin, PA. The advanced methodology ensures superior precision in the detection of drugs, offering a more dependable outcome than traditional testing. This efficiency makes it a highly trusted option.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in North Irwin, PA, benefit from compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies reduces legal liabilities, fostering a safer workplace environment for everyone involved.

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