Safety Considerations for Blood Specimen Transport within Your Facility

Vertical or Horizontal

Plastic blood collection tubes and plastic micro collection containers should be maintained in a vertical position to promote complete clot formation, if required, and reduce the possibility of hemolysis.

Plastic capillary tubes should be used for blood collection and may be carried horizontally if sealed completely at the ends.

Light Sensitivity

Amber microcollection tubes, wrapping aluminum foil around the tubes, and/or carrying the tubes in a container that closes completely should be used to avoid light exposure to blood collections for light-sensitive tests such as bilrubin and some vitamins.

Minutes Matter

Blood specimens for potassium and cortisol analysis need to be tested within two hours from the time of collection.

If the specimens cannot be delivered within this time period, collect the blood in serum or plasma separator tubes to avoid erroneous test results.

Blood culture specimens need to be transported immediately for placement in the blood culture incubation system.

Keep it Cool

An ice water slurry should be used to transport blood specimens collected for lactic acid, renin, insulin, and ammonia analysis in order to slow down the metabolic processes that are continuing in the blood.