Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a compelling method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair can reveal a long-term history of substance consumption by trapping biomarkers within the growing hair strand’s fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers a detection window of around 3 months for substances such as alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to collect, relatively resistant to adulteration, and straightforward to ship.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) obtained closest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is preferred. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equal amount of body hair may be utilized. When referencing head hair, we strictly mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
In laboratory processing of drug test results, four primary steps are involved: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of processing a sample within a laboratory’s system. This involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal validity. Any samples considered positive during Screening need secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen, preparing it for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples tentatively identified as positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Springville, PA, the advantages of hair follicle tests over urine tests are evident. Hair testing surpasses urine testing by offering a wider detection window and is far more challenging to manipulate.
Contrary to traditional urine tests that cover recent use, hair tests provide insight into a longer timeframe. This comprehensive approach enhances accuracy and eliminates the risk of evasion through sample adulteration, ensuring reliability.
Employers in Springville, PA, are turning to hair follicle tests due to their extended detection capabilities. Unlike other methods, these tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior.
This extensive window provides a thorough analysis of an individual's substance habits. By capturing this comprehensive data, employers make better-informed decisions, ensuring a safer and more compliant workspace.
Hair follicle tests in Springville, PA are nearly impervious to tampering, which is a significant concern with other drug testing forms. Their intrinsic design rules out any chance of altering.
The difficulty in falsifying hair samples makes them an excellent choice for any entity seeking irrefutable and trustworthy drug test outcomes. Consequently, they protect test integrity and authenticity like no other method.
With convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Springville, PA, our services stand out for accessibility. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that securing a test is straightforward.
Whether in Springville or beyond, the ease of access to our facilities guarantees minimal hassle, encouraging prompt and consistent testing processes. Our expansive network provides a level of convenience few can match.
In Springville, PA, we prioritize a straightforward and discreet testing process. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure is designed for simplicity.
Privacy remains paramount, ensuring each customer's information is handled with care. Our user-friendly approach addresses concerns about confidentiality while optimizing the ease of obtaining reliable drug test results.
Accredited Drug Testing in Springville, PA blends affordability with efficiency. Our competitive pricing models prove cost-effective, offering valuable solutions for all business sizes.
Rapid turnaround times further enhance our services, minimizing disruption and enhancing value. Companies can rely on timely and accurate results without breaking the bank, making us ideal partners in drug and alcohol testing.
Springville, PA benefits immensely from the rapid and precise results delivered by hair follicle drug tests. Featuring unparalleled accuracy, these tests are adept at identifying even trace levels of drug usage.
The meticulous nature of hair screening amplifies its reliability, setting a gold standard in drug testing protocols. With swift processes and dependable results, hair follicle testing optimizes both efficiency and assurance in substance detection.
Employers in Springville, PA find peace of mind with hair follicle drug tests. These tests enable organizations to comply with stringent drug-free policies.
The peace of mind that comes with reducing legal threats and securing a safer work environment is invaluable. Using hair tests signals a commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace while safeguarding operational integrity.
