Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fiber of the growing hair shaft. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four essential stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. It involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any added data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a brief initial assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples deemed presumptive positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is the most complex method.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before any necessary confirmation. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Osceola Mills, PA Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers extended detection periods, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history.
Extended Detection Window in Osceola Mills, PA Hair follicle testing can detect drug use over a 90-day period, providing employers with an extensive overview of an individual's substance history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Osceola Mills, PA Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the chances of tampering or adulteration, providing results that are trusted and difficult to contest.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Osceola Mills, PA With numerous testing centers nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free, ensuring efficient service delivery.
Simple, Confidential Process in Osceola Mills, PA The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential, prioritizing individual privacy at every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Osceola Mills, PA Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times provide excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes benefit from our reliable service.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Osceola Mills, PA Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and swiftness when it comes to detecting substance use. These tests offer a high accuracy rate, enabling employers and legal professionals to make informed decisions based on reliable data.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Osceola Mills, PA Implementing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thereby minimizing legal issues and enhancing workplace safety.
