Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Chester, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended timeline of drug and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. Hair samples collected near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period of up to roughly 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG tests, additional panels, or scenarios involving tests beyond ten panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is beneficial. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is logged into a laboratory's system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other necessary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening offers an economical solution to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal settings. Any sample with a presumptive positive in Screening requires follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), presenting a challenging methodology for hair drug testing.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that offer a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to interfere with a hair drug test, which enhances the reliability of the results.
• Provides usage patterns: It reveals a drug use pattern over an extended period, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual variations in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in West Chester, PA

• Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, able to reflect substance use over a longer timeframe.
• Unlike traditional urine tests, hair samples are less likely to be tampered with, ensuring reliability.
• Employers gain greater assurance of finding drug use over the previous 90 days with hair analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in West Chester, PA

• Hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive view with its 90-day detection period, capturing a detailed history of substance use.
• This extended window affords employers a broader perspective on an employee's drug habits and potential use.
• Hair tests serve as a robust screening method, ensuring transparency and due diligence.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in West Chester, PA

• Hair follicle tests minimize the risk of sample adulteration compared to urine tests, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• The observed collection process enhances the integrity and validity of the test results.
• Such features make hair drug testing an ideal solution for ensuring accurate and honest findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in West Chester, PA

• Our network of testing centers emphasizes ease and rapid access to drug testing procedures.
• Offering services across numerous locations, obtaining and completing tests is effortless.
• Local and nationwide accessibility enhances the convenience of our testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in West Chester, PA

• The process for conducting hair follicle tests is straightforward, promoting ease for users.
• Confidentially managing all stages of testing, from order to results, ensures privacy is maintained.
• Your concerns about privacy and procedure efficiency are addressed, making the process hassle-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in West Chester, PA

• Competitive pricing structures make hair follicle tests an economical choice for businesses.
• Speedy turnaround times promote swift decision-making processes for company needs.
• Our services deliver high value, catering to enterprises of varying sizes with considerate pricing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in West Chester, PA

• Precision and speed characterize hair follicle drug tests, assuring high accuracy in identifying substance use.
• Quick turnaround times ensure efficient processes from sample collection to result delivery.
• The detailed examination methods used highlight hair follicle testing as a dependable choice for drug detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in West Chester, PA

• Employers benefit from the compliance assurance hair follicle testing provides, significantly lowering legal risks.
• By securing adherence to drug-free policies, workplace safety is reinforced.
• This method supports employers in maintaining a secure and regulated work environment.

Drug Testing Near West Chester, PA

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