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Hair Testing Advantages

by Aaron Atkinson on August 9, 2010

Quest Diagnostics is committed to providing your company with a complete array of drug testing options. We often receive questions from customers regarding alternative testing, specifically hair testing services. If you are not already aware, or are considering an alternative testing methodology, you might be interested to know that hair testing for drugs of abuse is available from and performed by Quest Diagnostics.

blog_hair_sampleThere are a number of advantages that hair testing offers over alternative testing methods:

• This is the only testing method that provides up to a 90-day detection window of drug use, making it an ideal option for pre-employment and random testing.

• Our hair testing system is FDA-cleared, and it is an accurate lab-based test.

• Specimen collection is observed, which significantly reduces the possibility of adulteration or substitution.

• Fast turnaround times are available. Negative results are reported within 24 hours of specimen reception and positive results are confirmed within 48-72 hours.

Compared with urine specimen testing, hair testing provides nearly twice the number of positive results due largely to a much longer detection window. This testing method finds its niche in a testing setting where long-term use and dependency are in question. Hair testing will not, however, detect new or infrequent use as it does take time for testable levels of the drug to enter the hair specimen.

Hair testing can be used to detect the following classes of drugs: amphetamines (including Ecstasy), cocaine and metabolites, marijuana, opiates and phencyclidine (PCP).

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Hair Testing from Quest Diagnostics

by Aaron Atkinson on March 29, 2010

Hair testing from Quest Diagnostics is FDA cleared, and tests for the following drugs: amphetamines (including MDMA), cocaine, marijuana, opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). 

Hair testing has some unique advantages over traditional urine testing:

- Provides up to 90-day detection of drug use (though it will not detect new or infrequent use).
- Provides nearly twice the number of positives as urine testing.
- Observed collection means less chance of adulteration.

Using FDA-cleared testing systems, this lab-based test offers the advantages of easy specimen collection and accurate results.

Fast turnaround time is also available, as negative results are reported within 24 hours of specimen receipt at the laboratory and positive results are confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) within 48 -72 hours.

Compared to urine testing, hair testing provides nearly twice the number of positives, as well as a longer detection window.

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Steroids – An FDA Advisory

November 12, 2009 Drugs & Testing

In addition to drug testing and wellness screening services for employers, Quest Diagnostics also offers a variety of panels that test for steroids and other performance-enhancing substances. With this in mind, a recent notice from the FDA caught our attention and we wanted to pass along some important information.
While it is common to think of [...]

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