Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is considered a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extensive historical account of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can determine the presence of alcohol and substances for up to a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for analysis. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar volume of body hair is an option. When mentioning head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (like facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The core stages in the lab processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is integrated into the laboratory system. It involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entries from an electronic custody chain.
Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drugs. Though this step is economical for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive screening must undergo confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples showing a positive indication at this stage need further confirmation.
For samples with a positive indication during Screening, additional hair is utilized from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly complex.
Confirmation of positive results happens through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a positive indication undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The full lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine testing demonstrates substantial benefits. In Plum, PA, the accuracy and reliability of hair drug tests surpass older methods. Hair testing offers superior detection capabilities. Detecting drug use up to 90 days, it significantly outperforms urine tests, often limited by shorter detection spans and aqueous substance resolution.
Employers in Plum, PA leverage hair follicle drug testing to gain a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's or current employee's drug use history. With a detection window of up to 90 days, this method offers an extended insight that helps form a well-rounded assessment of an individual's substance use, surpassing the limitations faced by other testing options.
In Plum, PA, the hair follicle testing method stands out due to its resistance to tampering and adulteration. the low likelihood of sample manipulation means businesses, courts, and professionals can trust the outcomes. Such reliability ensures the decisions made based on these results are founded on integrity and strong evidence.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing options in Plum, PA and nationwide. Our wide-reaching network of facilities ensures simple access to drug testing services, providing efficient, hassle-free experiences. This widespread availability emphasizes convenience, facilitating smooth processes no matter the location, ensuring testing needs are met promptly.
The process for hair drug testing in Plum, PA is straightforward and confidential, reducing concerns about privacy and intricacy. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with user comfort in mind, maintaining confidentiality while ensuring a seamless journey from start to finish for all involved parties.
In Plum, PA, hair follicle testing is provided at competitive prices while prioritizing swift turnaround. This ensures companies of any size can benefit from both cost-effectiveness and timely results. Such affordability, paired with quick result delivery, offers excellent value and supports confident, informed decision-making.
In Plum, PA, hair follicle drug tests offer a fast and precise way to detect substance use. They are noted for their elevated accuracy levels, ensuring reliable outcomes in substance testing. This procedure's speed allows for quicker delivery of results than many alternatives, highlighting its value and necessity in environments where prompt, accurate decisions are essential.
Businesses in Plum, PA achieve greater compliance and safety through hair follicle testing. This technique supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, curbing legal issues and fostering a safe environment. By opting for hair testing, employers ensure their approach to monitoring drug use aligns with regulations while promoting peace of mind among staff and management.
