Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The practice of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of long-term exposure to alcohol and drugs because it retains markers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to 90 days. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For procedures involving EtG, additional panels, or more than 10 different substances, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If head hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. The term "head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the laboratory management of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample is intact and correctly shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information not captured by electronic custody documentation.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for substance misuse. While it's a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug use in numerous cases, any positive result detected in Screening must be validated to stand in legal settings. Samples marked as potentially positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample shows potential positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. This phase involves deriving drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging techniques.
Confirmation of any initial positive results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Each tentative positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation, as required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly misnamed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Slatedale, PA
When compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection in identifying substance use. Its longer detection window and reliability provide a more comprehensive assessment, reducing the chances of false negatives or positives.
Extended Detection Window in Slatedale, PA
Hair follicle tests are particularly effective due to their extended detection window of up to 90 days. This offers employers a comprehensive view of an employee's or applicant's substance use history, aiding informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Slatedale, PA
The hair follicle drug test significantly diminishes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results. This reduces the possibility of tampering, providing peace of mind for test administrators.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Slatedale, PA
With numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Slatedale, accessing convenient and hassle-free hair follicle testing services is simple and straightforward for all.
Simple, Confidential Process in Slatedale, PA
The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for all participants.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Slatedale, PA
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times offer excellent value and peace of mind, making hair follicle testing accessible to businesses of all sizes without compromising quality.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Slatedale, PA
Hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their precision and speed in delivering results. These tests are highly accurate in detecting a range of substances, making them a preferred choice for institutions and individuals seeking reliable outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Slatedale, PA
By adopting hair follicle testing, employers can maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting safety within the workplace.
