Safe, efficient processing of samples is a team effort between laboratory clients and accessioning office staff. Incomplete or improper labeling and packaging will most likely cause a delay in the processing of your samples.
Our Shipping & Receiving Department (334-844-7226) can assist with referring to appropriate resources or answering shipping questions. The ultimate responsibility however for knowing and following the regulations rests with the submitter.
It is the shipper’s responsibility to know and follow shipping/mailing regulations – including any necessary staff training - for sending diagnostic specimens to the laboratory, regardless of the carrier chosen. Recent significant changes to the regulations for shipping diagnostic, clinical, or patient specimens can be found on the websites for all major carriers.
Briefly, all clinical or diagnostic samples must be triple packaged, with a primary leak-proof container placed into a secondary, leak-proof container along with sufficient absorbent material to fully absorb the liquid content in the event of a spill or breakage during transport. The outer package must be made of sturdy rigid construction (cooler, corrugated fiberboard, rigid plastic). THE PACKAGE MUST NOT LEAK!
Outer packaging composed of brown paper envelopes, plastic carrier envelopes (i.e., UPS or FedEx envelopes), and Styrofoam containers, are NOT IN COMPLIANCE. All three major carriers in Alabama (USPS, UPS, and FedEx) have warned that improperly prepared or labeled packages are subject to return or disposal in the near future. Laboratory clients are strongly encouraged following the proper regulations now to avoid such problems. Compliant packaging is available from a variety of vendors. We prefer Saf-T-Pak (www.saftpak.com) products.
EXEMPT ANIMAL SPECIMENS VS. BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B
Animal specimens for which there is minimal likelihood that pathogens are present are not subject to the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) if the specimen is packaged and handled for transport safely.
Examples of specimens that may be transported as “Exempt Animal Specimens” are:
1. Substances in a form that any present pathogens have been neutralized or inactivated such that they no longer pose a health risk i.e. formalin fixed tissues
2. Environmental samples (including food samples), which are not considered to pose a significant risk of infection.
3. Direct patient specimen for which a professional judgment has determined a minimal likelihood of containing a pathogen i.e. blood & serum
Specimens must be packaged so as not to leak and the box MUST be marked “Exempt Animal Specimen”
All other samples should be sent using IATA Packing Instructions 650 for Biological Substances, Category B –training is required!
LABELING THE SPECIMENS:
- Label each specimen with the owner's last name and the animal's name/number, and the tissue type.
- For serology, clearly distinguish acute samples from convalescent samples.
- Label serology tubes from herds or flocks in numerical and consecutive order (1, 2, 3, etc.)
PACKAGING THE SPECIMENS:
- Multiple fragile primary containers should be wrapped separately.
- Place the tubes into the serum boxes in the order corresponding to the test charts.
- Ship frozen or refrigerated material in a properly insulated container, clearly marked on the outside as a frozen/refrigerated laboratory specimen.
- Use gel packs for a refrigerant.
- Enclose the submittal form(s) in a waterproof bag and place it on top of the specimens in the shipping container.
SHIPPING THE SPECIMENS
- Shipping by overnight courier is preferred.
- The sender is responsible for postage or special delivery charges.
- NOTE: Do not ship on Fridays, as we are not open on the weekend and will not receive the package until Monday.
Shipping Address: Postal, UPS and Fed Ex
NOTE: WE NO LONGER HAVE A PO BOX. ALL MAIL MUST BE SHIPPED TO OUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
TBS State Diagnostic Laboratory
890 Simms Road
Auburn, AL 36832
Phone: 334-844-7226