Guidelines regarding specimen packaging and transport must be followed carefully to help ensure the success of subsequent laboratory examinations, as well as to meet federal regulations.
Guidelines for Transport of Donor Specimens (PDF)
PACKAGING OF SPECIMENS FOR TRANSPORT
Generally, existing federal regulations require that etiologic agents be shipped according to the following guidelines:
- The specimen must be placed in a
primary watertight container.
- This container must be placed in a
secondary watertight container (i.e., sealed plastic bag) along with
absorbent material (i.e., paper towels).
- The bag is then placed into a sturdy shipping container (i.e., cardboard box or metal screw-top container), which has a "biohazard" symbol prominently displayed.
Refer to current federal regulations for more complete and specific information.
Note: All containers, including the primary specimen container, must be kept free of gross external contamination.
TRANSPORT TEMPERATURES
Modify directions above to accommodate the required transport temperature as follows.
Note: Serum specimens may be shipped at ambient (room) or refrigerated temperature.
Room Temperature
Specimens that require room temperature transport (i.e., HIV culture) should be packed with additional insulation materials (i.e., shredded newspaper).
Refrigerated Temperature
One or two frozen coolants are enclosed along with the packaged specimen in a styrofoam container within a cardboard shipping box.
Frozen Temperature
Packaging with 5 lbs. of dry ice in a styrofoam container within a cardboard shipping box will maintain the average specimen 24 hours. The courier must be notified that the package contains dry ice.
TRANSPORT SERVICE
Within the Minneapolis/St. Paul
metropolitan area:
Couriers are available for specimen transport throughout the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. To request courier service, please call Client Services at 952-563-3300.
All other locations:
Specimen transport for all other locations is by national courier service.
SHIP TO:
ViroMed Laboratories
6101 Blue Circle Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
TRANSPORT SUPPLIES
ViroMed provides clients with collection and transport supplies used to ship specimens to ViroMed for laboratory testing. Fax supply requests to ViroMed Client Services at 952-563-3300.
For any questions regarding
specimen transport, please contact:
VIROMED CLIENT SERVICES
952-931-0077 or 800-582-0077
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Specimen Guide
