Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. By collecting hair near the scalp, one can achieve a detection timeframe of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively hard, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, extended tests, or panels exceeding 10 tests, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's suggested to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used instead. References to head hair imply scalp hair only, while body hair signifies all other hair types (including facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step encompasses verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for potential drug abuse. While Screening provides an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive Screening necessitates confirmation to be valid for legal proceedings. Samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation.
In cases where a sample is presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other approaches like urine or oral fluids, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive Screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples with presumptive positives undergo a washing process before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the frequent mention of "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over urine testing in Pymatuning South, PA?
Hair tests offer increased detection accuracy.Compared to traditional urine tests, several factors highlight their superiority:
Hair follicle versus urine testing: a comparison.
An extended detection window is a significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Pymatuning South, PA.
Hair tests capture substance use up to 90 days, offering deeper insights.Employers gain a thorough perspective through:
The extensive detection duration of hair tests highlights their effectiveness.
Hair follicle drug testing significantly reduces tampering risks in Pymatuning South, PA.
This method minimizes the chances of sample adulteration.Ensures result integrity through:
Hair testing's resistance to tampering is unmatched.
Conveniently located nationwide, our testing centers are also easily accessible in Pymatuning South, PA.
The nationwide scope simplifies the testing process greatly.Accessibility is a priority, reflected in:
Efficient, accessible testing centers emphasize convenience.
In Pymatuning South, PA, our hair follicle drug testing process is simple and confidential.
Order, take the test, and receive results seamlessly.Privacy concerns are addressed in the process:
The simple, confidential process eases user concerns.
Our testing services in Pymatuning South, PA, boast affordable pricing with rapid turnaround.
Competitive pricing structures ensure cost-effectiveness.Value is prioritized alongside speed with:
Exceptional value combined with fast turnaround sets us apart.
Hair follicle drug testing offers fast, accurate results in Pymatuning South, PA.
The precision of these tests ensures that substances are detected with high accuracy.Immediate insights are provided, highlighting the shortened waiting period for results.
The reliability in analyzing hair samples underscores their superior accuracy.
For employers in Pymatuning South, PA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies.
It diminishes legal risks and boosts workplace safety.Hair testing aligns with regulatory needs by:
Hair follicle testing is integral for compliance.
