Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust mechanism for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures long-term alcohol and drug history by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Obtaining a sample near the scalp allows detection of alcohol and other substances for up to a roughly 3-month period. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
An ideal test sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment from the scalp, containing about 200 hair strands (approximating the girth of a #2 pencil), thus yielding 100mg of hair, perfect for analysis and confirmation. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, a larger 150mg sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair might be substituted. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The pivotal stages in lab processing a drug test outcome encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a specimen within a lab’s workflow. This phase involves ensuring the sample's seal and shipping integrity, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and adding any missing information not provided electronically in the chain of custody process.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is an economical strategy to exclude drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal admission. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial batch for use in Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at far lower levels than in other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), contributing to hair drug testing's complexity.
Confirmation of a positive screen is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation, if required. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and follows ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure evaluates the hair strand itself, not the underlying follicle.
Choosing hair follicle testing over urine tests in Speers, PA, offers numerous advantages. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, making them the preferred choice for many.
While traditional urine tests struggle with certain detection windows, hair testing stands out by offering a more comprehensive analysis of substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Speers, PA, offers an extended detection window, capable of tracing drug use up to 90 days. This provides employers with a more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history.
The ability to detect long-term drug use is beneficial for employers seeking thorough assessments beyond short-term habits.
In Speers, PA, hair follicle testing is lauded for its tamper-resistant nature. The method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, delivering reliable, unquestionable results.
This security makes it an ideal choice for ensuring integrity in drug testing, giving employers enhanced confidence in the results.
With numerous convenient testing locations nationwide and localized centers in Speers, PA, accessing hair follicle testing has never been easier.
These centers allow for quick and hassle-free service, ensuring individuals and employers can carry out tests with minimal disruption and maximum convenience.
The process for conducting hair follicle testing in Speers, PA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to taking and receiving results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use.
These streamlined procedures address privacy concerns while delivering efficient, reliable outcomes.
In Speers, PA, hair follicle tests are offered at affordable prices with fast turnaround times, making them accessible for companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures combined with swift results ensure organizations get excellent value and peace of mind, without financial strain.
In Speers, PA, hair follicle drug tests deliver exceptional precision and prompt results. Their accuracy in detecting substance use is unrivaled, providing a reliable measure for employers and individuals alike.
With state-of-the-art analysis techniques, these tests ensure that results are both fast and trustworthy, setting a benchmark in drug detection.
Speers, PA employers benefit from the use of hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and boosting workplace safety.
This method provides peace of mind, assuring employers their policies are upheld, and enhancing the overall safety and productivity of their work environment.
