CLINICAL LABORATORY SERVICES

15. SAMPLE TRANSPORTATION

15.1. General guidelines
Specimen transportation and collection is managed by the Board Services
Department, consisting of a number of Board courier and hospital porter runs.
These are subject to continuous change and improvement. There are separate
transport runs for consumable deliveries. See appendix D “Model rules for
laboratory porters and messengers”.

15.2. Health and safety

15.2.1. It is laboratory policy to treat all samples as potentially infectious or

high risk. We therefore advise that universal precautions be taken in the
collection process, packaging, and delivery of specimens to the laboratory for
analysis.

15.2.2. All high-risk specimens from suspected or known cases of TB, CJD,
Hepatitis B & C, and HIV infection, etc must be treated as potentially infectious.
They must be sent to the laboratory in an appropriate container, which must be
labelled with a biohazard label "Danger of Infection - Take special care".

15.2.3. The biohazard label must be attached to both the specimen and
request form. All persons who use the laboratory service are reminded that
they must comply with the legal requirements under the Health and Safety at
Work Order (NI 1978) and COSHH regulations (2002).

15.2.4. Specimens should always be placed in the plastic biohazard transport

bag attached to the request form and the bag should be sealed. Multiple
specimens should be transported in impervious transport containers (green
transport bags) and should not be carried by hand or in plastic or paper bags.

15.2.5. Specimens must not be sent in standard envelopes via the internal
post.

15.3. Specimen packaging

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15.3.1. Packaging of diagnostic specimens within the hospital

Specimens should always be placed in the plastic biohazard transport bag

attached to the request form and the bag should be sealed.

15.3.2. Packaging of diagnostic specimens from GP surgeries

It is the responsibility of all persons sending samples to the laboratory to adhere

to national and international regulations ensuring that specimens sent to the
laboratory do not present a risk to anyone coming in contact with them during
transportation or on receipt in the laboratory. Carriage of goods by road must
comply with the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Road regulations (2007).

See UNECE website for

details. http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adr/adr2007/07ContentsE.html

15.3.3. General instructions

1. The packaging must be of good quality, strong enough to

withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during
carriage.

2. The packaging must consist of at least three components:

a. A leakproof primary receptacle e.g. blood collection tube, MSU

container;

b. A secondary sealable package to enclose and

protect the primary container(s), e.g. plastic
specimen bag.

3. Outer package: the secondary package is placed in an outer

transport container with suitable cushioning that protects it and its
contents from external influences such as physical damage and
water while in transit. This must conform to P650 of ADR 2007.

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4. For carriage, the outer packaging must be marked with UN
3373 and ‘Biological substances, Category B’ marked
adjacent to the diamond shaped mark.

BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE,
CATEGORY B

Provided the correct packaging and labeling has been used, there
are no further requirements for special documentation or specially
marked and equipped vehicles or trained drivers for specimen
transportation.

15.4. Specimen delivery

15.4.1. Sample delivery within the hospital

Samples may be sent to the laboratory using the hospital porters or any other
hospital staff. Specimens must not be sent in standard envelopes via the
internal post.

To minimize turnaround times, all specimens should be sent to the laboratory

as quickly as possible after collection.

15.4.2. Sample delivery from outside the hospital

Health centre and GPs specimens arrive in the laboratory at different times
dependant on the transport arrangement applicable to each health centre.
Practices are encourage to utilize all transport means and to utilize the most

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timely and efficient means, this means that GPs or patients themselves may
bring specimens directly to the laboratory specimen central reception.

To minimize turnaround times, all specimens should be sent to the laboratory

as quickly as possible after collection.

15.4.3. Transport of Blood/Blood Components by Taxi

1. Drivers must not remove or tamper with the consignment or its contents.

2. Ensure that the delivery is taken directly to the correct location within the
hospital/organisation as identified on the transport box. Outside of normal
working hours the box can be delivered to the Hospital Reception desk and the
receptionist informed.

3. If there is a breakdown drivers must inform the hospital of the delay and give an
estimated time of arrival. Any prolonged delays due to traffic conditions must be
communicated to the hospital.

4. Drivers must inform the hospital/laboratory of any loss or damage to the

consignment as soon as possible.

5. At all times, drivers must ensure compliance with all road traffic and transport
laws and any request by the Police.

6. Drivers must have appropriate motor insurance.

7. Drivers must read and understand “Guidelines for drivers – Appendix C”.

15.5. Storage of samples prior to transport to the laboratory

Samples should be transported to the Laboratory as soon as possible after

collection. Please ensure samples reach the laboratories as early in the
working day as possible.

Samples should not be stored in ward areas or in GP practices overnight or

over the weekend. Samples that are not transported in a timely manner to the
laboratory may be rejected if there is doubt about the sample integrity.

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