Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When extracted near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately matching the girth of a #2 pencil) from the scalp area yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair, whereas all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.) are classified as body hair.
Process Overview
The four primary stages of processing a lab drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of processing a specimen into the lab system. This process entails confirming the sample’s secure sealing and proper shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data necessitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug usage in most specimens, a positive screening result must be verified for court admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate additional verification.
Should a sample indicate positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most intricate methodology to execute.
Any positive screening outcome undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive specimens receive a pre-confirmation wash as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Advantages of Hair Testing: Comparing hair follicle to urine testing reveals superior detection accuracy in the former. Hair testing in Pikes Creek, PA, surpasses urine tests, providing a more extensive look into an individual’s substance use with less risk of false negatives.
Employers value the thoroughness of hair testing. While urine tests cover recent drug use, hair analysis offers insights into a longer timeframe, proving more beneficial when assessing ongoing substance habits.
The extended detection window of hair follicle drug testing in Pikes Creek, PA, makes it invaluable. This test can unveil drug use for up to 90 days, considerably longer than urine tests.
Comprehensive Overview: Employers gain a detailed picture of a potential employee's substance history, offering assurance in hiring decisions. This long-term detection is imperative for maintaining a drug-free workplace policy.
Tamper-Proof Method: In Pikes Creek, PA, hair follicle testing significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering. The integrity of hair testing is unmatched, providing unalterable evidence of drug use.
This testing method ensures that results are trustworthy, given its resistance to adulteration. As such, employers and legal systems can depend on its reliability, which is paramount where compliance and accuracy are crucial.
Convenient Testing Centers: Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessible testing sites nationwide, including Pikes Creek, PA. Our expansive network facilitates quick and seamless testing experiences.
Whether you’re local or elsewhere, our centers provide hassle-free access with the same commitment to quality, helping companies and individuals meet their testing needs promptly and effectively.
Confidential and Straightforward: The process for hair follicle testing in Pikes Creek, PA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step considers privacy and ease.
Ensuring confidentiality is our priority, providing individuals with a secure pathway to understanding their results while maintaining the utmost respect for their privacy during the entire testing process.
Competitive Pricing: We offer affordable pricing structures in Pikes Creek, PA, along with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for companies of all sizes.
Our commitment to competitive pricing and efficient service delivery provides peace of mind, reinforcing trust and satisfaction among our clients.
Hair follicle drug tests in Pikes Creek, PA, are recognized for their precision and speed. These tests provide fast and reliable outcomes, accurately identifying recent and past substance use. Their high level of accuracy ensures that individuals are assessed fairly based on their drug use history.
Precision and Speed: The method boasts swift result delivery, underpinned by accurate substance detection, which is crucial for timely decision-making by employers and legal entities.
Compliance Assurance: Hair follicle testing aids employers in Pikes Creek, PA, in upholding workplace drug-free policies. This testing diminishes legal risks and fosters a safe working environment.
By choosing hair analysis, companies enhance their compliance efforts, reducing potential liabilities. The assurance of adhering to policy standards gives employers peace of mind knowing that their workplace is safer and more productive.
