Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening has evolved into an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug use by holding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer around a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp collects 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, collecting 150mg of the sample is advised. It is recommended to use a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. In discussions of head hair, this solely refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the initial handling of a sample into a lab's system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a rapid preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screen result must be verified to be valid in court. Samples that are presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to execute.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing in Westtown, PA, due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which may only reveal recent drug use, hair tests offer a broad view of an individual's substance intake over months. Employers across the region benefit from the unmatched precision of hair analysis, reducing risks linked to traditional testing methods.
The extended detection window of up to 90 days with hair follicle testing in Westtown, PA, provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's substance history. Unlike other methods, hair testing offers a long-term view, making it a valuable tool in the hiring and monitoring process. This thorough overview helps businesses ensure they maintain a safe and supportive workplace environment.
Hair follicle tests in Westtown, PA, drastically lower the chance of test manipulation, providing dependable and indisputable results. Unlike other testing methods susceptible to tampering, hair tests are collected under direct observation, securing the integrity of the sample. This ensures a trustworthy process that significantly mitigates the risk of receiving falsified results.
With many testing locations both nationwide and locally in Westtown, PA, accessing drug testing services is convenient and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing ensures numerous centers to cater to any need, offering quick and easy service. This network allows individuals and employers to engage testing smoothly, minimizing delays and maximizing accessibility.
The process for hair follicle testing in Westtown, PA is both simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward, safeguarded by strict privacy measures. This ease of access ensures that personal data remains secure, providing peace of mind and satisfying those concerned with confidential data management in the testing environment.
In Westtown, PA, affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround times highlights the value offered by hair follicle testing. Despite competitive prices, test speed and reliability remain top-notch, providing businesses of all sizes with efficient and cost-effective solutions. Such offerings ensure businesses can maintain high standards without financial strain.
In Westtown, PA, hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of this method allows for superior detection of substance use, offering dependable outcomes for employers and individuals alike. Their ability to quickly process and report findings makes them a preferred choice for many looking for swift verification of drug use.
For Westtown, PA employers, hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety. By choosing this method, companies align with strict standards while promoting a healthier, more secure work environment. Peace of mind arises from knowing that policies are enforced with reliable, unaltered results.
