Specimen Transport Protocol

The following protocol has been established for the safe transport of specimens from the collection site to the laboratory following the OSHA guidelines.  Never send samples to the laboratory that have a needle attached.

INDIVIDUAL SAMPLES

Blood and urine samples are to be placed into individual biohazard bags with the seal securely closed.  The bag is to be placed into a cooler or puncture proof container and delivered to the laboratory.

MULTIPLE SAMPLES

Blood or urine samples obtained from a physician office or collection site are to be placed into biohazard bags with the seal securely closed.  If there are a large number of tubes that are in a specimen rack, then the rack may be placed into a large biohazard bag with the seal securely closed.  The bag is to be placed into a cooler or puncture proof container and delivered to the laboratory.

PNEUMATIC TUBE SAMPLES

Individual tubes of blood or urine may be sent to the laboratory through the pneumatic tube system as long as they are placed into a biohazard bag with the seal securely closed. All urine containers must have the caps tightened.  Blood culture bottles can be sent if they are transported in special capsules provided by the lab.  Microbiology culturette, sterile container, or properly capped syringe up to 20 mL.  York Hospital allows arterial blood gases (properly capped and needles removed) to be sent through the pneumatic tube system. 

The following specimens cannot be sent through the pneumatic tube system:  body fluids (other than blood and urine); 24 hour urine collections; PFA (platelet function assays) including aspirin reactivity and platelet reactivity; blood alcohol; chain of custody specimens; formalin preserved specimens (i.e. pathology specimens, fluid for cytology/histology); blood products (i.e. packed RBC); and isolator tubes.  Gettysburg Hospital currently does not allow arterial blood gases to be sent through the pneumatic tube system. 

FLUID SAMPLES

Fluid samples that are collected are to be placed into biohazard bags with the seal securely closed and then placed into a cooler.  For large 2 liter bottles that will not fit into a biohazard bag, it is acceptable to place them into a cooler or puncture proof container for transport.