Clinical Coagulation Laboratory

A division of Duke University Regional Referral Laboratory Services

Alert! Beware of falling CLOTS!

SPECIMEN SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS



Call (800) 441-1416 or (919) 684-6366 to request shipping instructions prior to collection of samples.

Shipping Instructions for Frozen Specimens (citrated plasma or serum)


The styrofoam shipping containers should contain the following:
  1. Test request form
  2. Specimen bag
  3. Dry Ice label
In addition, you will need the following:
  1. Dry Ice (avoid contact with skin) 5 lbs per shipping day.
  2. 1 inch wide tape for sealing the box.
  3. Packing material


PROCEDURE

*Process sample according to the Collection and processing instructions. Specimens must be frozen prior to shipping.
  1. Complete the test request form.
  2. Put the patient specimen vials in double zip-lock specimen bags containing absorbant packing material (i.e. paper towels)
  3. Enclose test request form in envelope of bag.
  4. Place 2 inches of packing material in the styrofoam container.
  5. Place dry ice on top of specimen bag. Do not touch with bare hands.
  6. Fill styrofoam container completely with packing material or newspaper. Replace cover and tape it down tightly.
  7. Seal the crack between the cover and the base of box with 1 inch wide tape (Dry ice deteriorates rapidly with exposure to air).
  8. Place stryofoam container into cardboard box and seal with tape.
  9. Put address label on Box:DUMC, Clinical Coagulation Laboratory, c/o Regional Referral Laboratory Services, CARL Building, Room 139, Research Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
  10. Put dry ice and biohazard label on side of box.
  11. Select shipper and deliver to shipper. Notify DUMC of shipmement by calling DUMC at (800) 441-1416 or (919) 684-6366.

Shipping Instructions for Molecular Diagnostic (PCR) Specimens (citrated or EDTA whole blood)


The shipping containers should contain the following:
  1. Test request form
  2. Specimen bag
  3. Biohazard Label
In addition, you will need the following:
  1. Shipping Label
  2. Packing material
  3. Correct Postage


PROCEDURE

*Process sample according to the Collection and processing instructions for Molecular Diagnostic (PCR) Assays. Specimens must shipped at room temperature and never frozen prior to shipping.
  1. Complete the test request form.
  2. Put the patient specimen vials in double zip-lock specimen bags containing absorbant packing material (i.e. paper towels)
  3. Enclose test request form in envelope of bag.
  4. Place sufficient packing material in the container to prevent breakage.
  5. Replace cover and tape it down tightly if necessary.
  6. Put address label on Box:DUMC, Clinical Coagulation Laboratory, c/o Regional Referral Laboratory Services, CARL Building, Room 139, Research Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
  7. Put small biohazard label on side of the container.
  8. Select shipper and deliver to shipper. Notify DUMC of shipmement by calling DUMC at (800) 441-1416 or (919) 684-6366.





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Clinical Coagulation Laboratory
Duke University Medical Center
128 CARL Building
Box 3514
Research Drive
Durham, North Carolina 27710
(919) 684-6366
(919) 681-7673 FAX



Please send suggestions and comments to: wu000031@mc.duke.edu



Last Modified: September 13, 2003