Sample Shipping
INDEX
Sample Shipment Policy
NAT Sample Shipment Policy
General Information
Samples submitted to STBTC must be maintained under specific conditions as outlined in the Sample Requirements section of the handbook. Therefore, it is imperative that samples must be shipped in accordance with a validated sample shipping system. Upon request, STBTC will provide a validated shipping system and all necessary supplies. Do not ship samples in containers that show excessive wear. Such containers are susceptible to tearing or leaking during shipment.
Guidelines
- All samples must be capped.
- Do not tape the cap onto the tube or apply tape to any part of the tube.
- Do not mark on any part of the bar code labels.
- Place samples into spill-proof plastic bags with absorbent material.
- Include the appropriate amount of gel packs.
- Include a sample submission report or a sample shipment document that includes the following information: name of organization, # of samples submitted & bleed/collection dates.
- Samples not included on a sample submission report must be accompanied by paperwork indicating request, i.e. resubmission, NAT testing, titer, etc.
- Fill any "dead" space with packing material to reduce shifting of contents during shipping.
- Seal the shipping container and address the container to:
South Texas Blood & Tissue Center
Attention: Accessioning Lab
6211 IH 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78201
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Apply an orange biohazard label to the outside of the container.
- Fax the Daily Shipment Notification Report to the Accessioning Lab at (210) 731-5579.
- Keep the shipping container refrigerated or frozen until pickup.
In the following pages, specific sample shipment guidelines are outlined for the Genetic Testing (NAT) Laboratory. Any questions regarding the sample shipment policy not outlined in this handbook should be addressed to the Customer Operations department.
| NAT Sample Shipment Policy |
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Guidelines
- Upon request STBTC will provide a validated shipping system and all necessary supplies.
- All samples must be capped.
- Do not tape the cap onto the tube or apply tape to any part of the tube.
- Do not mark on any part of the bar code labels.
- Place samples into spill-proof plastic bags with absorbent material.
- Include the appropriate amount of gel packs.
- Include a sample submission report or a sample shipment document that includes the following information: name of organization, # of samples submitted & bleed/collection dates.
Collection & Storage
- Plasma collected in K2EDTA, K3EDTA, or in Becton Dickinson EDTA Plasma Preparation Tubes may be used.
- Additional specimens taken from blood or plasma units collected in ACD, or sodium citrate according to the collection container manufacturer's instructions may be used.
- Whole blood or plasma specimens may be stored up to 72 hours from time of draw at < 25°C.
- Specimens may be stored an additional five days at 2° to 8° C following centrifugation.
- Plasma separated from the cells may be stored for longer periods of time at < -20° C before testing.
- No adverse effect on assay performance was observed when plasma was subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles.
- Include a sample submission report or a sample shipment document that includes the following information: name of organization, # of samples submitted & bleed/collection dates.
Shipping
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