Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has increasingly become recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of its growing segments. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a three-month period of alcohol and drug consumption. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments over 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is beneficial to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's records. This step includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry needed beyond what's provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment looking for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in most cases, confirmation is necessary for any positive results to be legally accepted. Samples that indicate positive results during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a sample is suspected positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and set up for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex method to carry out.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Sligo, PA, becomes evident upon examination of accuracy and reliability. Hair testing boasts a longer detection window for identifying substance use, providing a superior alternative to urine tests. This improved detection capability ensures that users can rely on accuracy that is both comprehensive and tamper-proof.
In Sligo, PA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is unmatched. Unlike urine tests that cover short-term use, hair testing gives a much broader view of drug and alcohol use over a span of up to 90 days. This attribute helps employers gain insight into a prospective or current employee's long-term substance habits, offering a more complete picture.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method available in Sligo, PA, can effectively lower the risk of sample adulteration. Hair follicle tests lack the vulnerability to manipulation and tampering associated with other testing methods, ensuring that the results remain reliable and conclusive throughout the testing process.
The availability of convenient nationwide testing locations, coupled with focused services in Sligo, PA, underscores our commitment to accessibility. Our extensive network ensures that getting tested is straightforward, efficient, and stress-free, regardless of your location across the country.
In Sligo, PA, customers can take advantage of our simple, confidential process. Ordering, taking, and obtaining results from a hair follicle test is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. This procedure ensures that clients receive their assessments discreetly and without unnecessary complications.
Our affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Sligo, PA, present excellent value for companies of all sizes. Cost-effective options paired with swift result delivery mean that businesses don't have to compromise on quality or speed, thus ensuring seamless workforce management.
Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results, crucial for discerning substance use in Sligo, PA. Their precision allows for thousands of drugs and metabolites to be detected at minute levels, thanks to advanced technology. As a consequence, both employers and individuals reap the benefits of timely and dependable outcomes.
Employers in Sligo, PA, can find compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. Such tests assist in adhering to strict workplace drug-free policies, reducing the risks of litigation, and enhancing workplace safety. By choosing this method, organizations can be confident in maintaining a productive and secure working environment.
