Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a long-term archive of drug and alcohol usage by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When cut close to the scalp, it can provide a detection range of up to three months for substances. Hair is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), when snipped closely to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advised. It's beneficial to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair covers any other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test involves four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s system. This phase includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not already covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening acts as an initial fast assessment for drugs of abuse. It's a cost-effective approach to mostly rule out drug usage, but a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
In the event Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair in significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Positive Screening results are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle under the scalp.
In West Kittanning, PA, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests in several ways. Hair tests offer superior drug detection accuracy over a longer period, making them reliable for spotting substance use.
The risk of test evasion is minimized, providing employers with dependable results that urine tests may not match in terms of duration and consistency.
In West Kittanning, PA, the hair follicle testing method grants employers insight into up to 90 days of substance use history. This extended detection window provides a detailed account of an individual’s substance use.
Employers gain a more comprehensive understanding of applicant or employee's drug history, aiding informed hiring decisions.
The hair follicle testing method in West Kittanning, PA, significantly minimizes tampering risks. Compared to urine tests, hair tests are nearly impossible to adulterate.
With reliable and unquestionable results, these tests enhance the integrity of drug testing processes, securing true reflections of substance usage.
With testing centers located nationwide, including in West Kittanning, PA, the convenience of our services ensures quick and straightforward access.
Employees and employers can access testing services seamlessly, ensuring a hassle-free testing experience at local or national scales.
In West Kittanning, PA, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns.
With a user-friendly approach, individuals can undergo testing with ease, knowing their information is protected throughout the process.
Offering competitive pricing plans in West Kittanning, PA, hair follicle tests provide excellent value for employers of all sizes.
Fast turnaround times enhance efficiency, making hair testing an affordable and smart choice for those needing reliable substance use assessments swiftly.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in West Kittanning, PA. Hair testing stands out for its high accuracy, quickly delivering reliable results.
Employers seeking fast and trustworthy assessments prefer hair tests, ensuring informed decisions are made swiftly in substance detection protocols.
Hair follicle testing in West Kittanning, PA, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. Using hair tests reinforces safety and mitigates legal risks.
Employers enjoy peace of mind through adherence to regulations, maintaining safer work environments without compromising on drug testing reliability.
