Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the hair fiber. A sample collected near the scalp can reflect substance intake over a period of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp should yield 100mg of hair, considered ideal for screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels beyond 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other bodily hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in laboratories involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of incorporating a sample into the lab’s protocols. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing informational fields not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening entails a preliminary evaluation for potential drug presence. While this step is economically efficient for excluding drug use in the bulk of samples, a positive result at this stage requires further confirmation for legal acceptance. Any screenings yielding presumptive positives necessitate an additional verification step.
Should a sample return a positive at the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original collection for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing mediums like urine or oral fluids, making hair testing the most challenging method to execute accurately.
Confirmation of a positive result from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positives undergo washing if needed, before Confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is validated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and complies with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests," this analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing is Superior: In Patterson Township, PA, hair follicle tests offer advantages over traditional urine tests, with benefits such as increased detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a comprehensive insight due to their extended detection timeline, making them an invaluable tool for discerning substance use.
Comparative Analysis: Employers and other professionals found hair follicle testing notably beneficial due to its extended detection window and reliability, outperforming urine tests. This modern approach ensures a more thorough examination of an individual's substance history.
Extended Detection Benefits: Hair follicle drug tests in Patterson Township, PA, offer an extended detection window of up to 90 days, allowing a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. This method provides employers with detailed insights beyond the immediate past, ensuring informed decisions.
Comprehensive View: With a detection period vastly superior to urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a retrospective view, giving employers in Patterson Township, PA, a broad perspective on substance use, crucial for long-term workplace safety and compliance.
Robust Against Tampering: Hair follicle testing in Patterson Township, PA, is renowned for its robustness against tampering, offering secure and unalterable results. These tests are less vulnerable to adulteration, ensuring the integrity of the sample and the reliability of outcomes.
Unquestionable Results: By significantly minimizing the chance of sample manipulation, hair follicle testing provides unquestionable and dependable results, fostering trust and accuracy in the testing process in Patterson Township, PA.
Accessible Testing Locations: With a comprehensive network of testing centers, our services in Patterson Township, PA, are easily accessible. Nationwide facilities ensure that testing is convenient, efficient, and hassle-free, accommodating both local and visiting individuals.
Local Convenience: The presence of numerous local and nationwide centers makes accessing drug testing services in Patterson Township, PA, swift and straightforward. This availability underscores our commitment to removing the barriers to drugs and alcohol testing.
Streamlined Process: In Patterson Township, PA, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns with ease. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a stress-free experience for individuals.
Protecting Privacy: Our uncomplicated and discreet testing process prioritizes your privacy. We ensure that the procedure in Patterson Township, PA, is as simple as possible, providing clarity and security at every stage, from testing to result acquisition.
Competitive Pricing: Offering attractive pricing options, our services in Patterson Township, PA, deliver excellent value. With rapid turnaround times, we ensure that businesses of all sizes receive cost-effective and efficient solutions for their drug testing needs.
Quick Turnaround: The efficiency of our services in Patterson Township, PA, is matched by our rapid result times. Combining affordability with speed, we cater to companies looking for both value and timely information, enhancing decision-making processes.
Precision and Speed: In Patterson Township, PA, hair follicle tests are unparalleled in their ability to deliver fast and accurate results regarding substance use. Utilizing advanced technology, these tests offer a comprehensive review with a high degree of confidence, ensuring the timeliness and reliability of the findings.
High Accuracy in Detection: When it comes to detecting drugs, hair follicle tests stand out with their impressive precision. In the quest for trustworthy analysis, they provide insights that are both detailed and prompt, making them the preferred choice for those seeking reliable testing solutions.
Ensuring Compliance: In Patterson Township, PA, hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal liabilities and enhances overall safety, offering peace of mind through reliable substance misuse detection.
Improving Safety: By choosing hair follicle testing, employers bolster their commitment to workplace safety. This method of testing ensures that drug-free policies are upheld, thus mitigating risks and fostering a more secure working environment in Patterson Township, PA.
