Storing and transporting pathology specimens

Attention

  • To collect, store and transport pathology correctly you MUST be in contact with your laboratory — visit them when in town and find out about particular issues for your region or clinic
  • Do not collect specimens that are not needed (eg test already done in past 3 months) — unless follow-up is required
  • Collection of pathology is part of providing a service to patients — take care to do it right
    • Right person, Right test, Right tube, Right process, Right storage, Right transport, Right recall system
  • Results need to be followed up whether you are there or not especially abnormal results — use clinic recall systems
  • All pathology specimens must be treated as a biohazard during collection, storage and transport
  • All specimens must be labelled correctly or laboratory will throw them away
  • Must use packing and specially made container to transport specimen samples by air (IATA packing instructions 650)
    • Commercial airlines and air retrieval services must abide by these regulations
    • Check and follow your local protocols or courier may refuse to take them

What you do

  • Label all specimens
  • Follow instructions on sticky label on tube/swab container or slide holder
  • If using pre-printed identification labels, make sure you add exactly what the specimen is (eg swab from left eye)
  • Minimum information needed on labels
    • Full name including skin/bush names as recorded on file notes
    • Date of birth
    • Exactly what specimen is (eg blood, wound swab)
    • Date specimen collected
  • Make sure all screw/push tops are firmly in place
  • All specimens are stored in sealed biohazard plastic bag inside sealed container
  • Store as needed at room temperature OR refrigerated (in fridge) OR frozen (in freezer)
  • Completed pathology forms must be kept with specimens but not in same compartment in case of leakage. Use plastic sleeve on side of pathology bag

To transport specimens

  • Frozen specimens
    • Need to be well frozen before travel
    • To protect label during freezing — put sticky tape over label OR cut finger off disposable rubber glove and put specimen container inside
    • Put tube into yellow top urine jar, fill with cold water and freeze
    • Transport tube in jar between 2 ice bricks, must stay frozen in transit
    • Pack as per fridge specimens below
  • Fridge specimens 
    • Put absorbent material (such as blueys) in biohazard bags with specimens in case of leakage — Figure 5.1
    • Put into recommended transport container/esky with wrapped ice brick in base and another on top
    • Seal lid as instructed or with waterproof tape
  • Room temperature specimens 
    • As above — without ice bricks
  • Label all containers clearly with
    • Place, date, time of packing, and destination
    • Biohazard sticker (in Australia UN3373) — Figure 5.2. If no sticker — write it in big letters using black marker
  • Make sure courier knows what contents are. This is so they will not be left in a hot place and will be delivered to laboratory as soon as possible

Figure 5.1  

Figure 5.2