Safety Considerations for Blood Specimen Transport Outside Your Facility

Rules of Transport for All Specimens

• The primary receptacle must be leak-proof and not contain more than 500 mL or grams.
• There must be absorbent material placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging sufficient to absorb the entire contents of all primary containers within the secondary package.
• The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa when transporting via air.

Accidents Happen: Be Prepared

Does your transport department or courier service…

• Carry all blood collection equipment and specimens in a lockable container to avoid an accidental spill if the vehicle is in a collision?
• Have a spill kit available in the courier vehicle?
• Transport each patient’s specimen in a sealed or zip-locked specimen transport bag with an outside pocket for the laboratory requisition?
• Ensure that the specimen container used to transport specimens is clearly marked as biohazardous on the outside of the container?
• Have cold packs in the container for specimen transport during hot weather and a heated vehicle for transport of specimens during cold weather?