Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The method of hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for biochemical markers, capturing them within the fibers as hair strands grow. When taken near the scalp, hair samples offer a detection window of nearly 90 days for alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly matching the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG and additional testing or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be gathered. Note that head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (including facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
Four essential steps outline the lab protocols for a drug test, including Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the beginning stage, integrating a sample into a lab’s database. This stage verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any additional data entry needs not fulfilled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial examination for substance abuse. As an economical way to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive screening demands confirmation for legal credibility. Presumptively positive samples during Screening need further validation.
When a sample is deemed presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome utilizes techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing when necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory workflow from Accessioning through to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards of accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Parryville, PA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests for numerous reasons. The extended detection period is the primary advantage, allowing drug use to be traced back up to 90 days. This accuracy and reliability surpass the limitations of conventional methods, providing employers with better data on substance use history.
Hair follicle tests in Parryville, PA, boast a significantly longer detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This superior timespan offers employers a broader insight into an individual’s substance use history. It furnishes a detailed picture of applicants' or employees' past, supporting informed hiring and management decisions.
Employing a rigorous method, hair follicle testing in Parryville, PA, is remarkably tamper-resistant. The test's structured nature minimizes risks of sample adulteration, ensuring credible and definite results. It reassures employers and minimizes disputes over testing outcomes.
Nationwide and local testing in Parryville, PA, makes accessing our services both convenient and hassle-free. With multiple centers available, our network ensures fast and easy access to high-quality drug testing, meeting your company’s needs promptly.
The procedure for hair follicle testing in Parryville, PA, remains simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, the process is designed to protect privacy while providing ease of use, addressing clients’ needs for both confidentiality and convenience alike.
In Parryville, PA, we offer competitive pricing on our hair follicle drug testing with quick turnaround times. This guarantees exceptional value to businesses of all sizes, providing cost-effectiveness that brings peace of mind without compromising quality or speed.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Parryville, PA, are unmatched. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, providing trustworthy results. The process not only ensures quick results but guarantees high accuracy, vital for employers and organizations looking to maintain safety and compliance.
Hair follicle testing provides Parryville, PA, employers with peace of mind, meeting compliance requirements with zero tolerance drug policies. Its usage reduces legal risks while ensuring a secure and productive workplace, actively promoting and upholding safety standards.