1. Specimen Handling General Transportation Guidelines Transport tubes vertically Position minimizes aerosol release Aids in clot formation Blood specimens placed in transport bags Biohazard logo Liquid-tight closure Slip pocket for paperwork Non-blood specimens in leak-proof containers with secured lids

2. Specimen Handling Off-site Transportation Specimens must be in a leak-proof primary container Container put in a zip closure plastic bag containing absorbent material Placed in a secondary container-cooler or transport box Transport box must be closed, properly labeled and have forms containing specimen data and identification

3. Special Handling Body temperature specimens Must be transported at or near body temp Use heat blocks Tests Cold agglutinin Cryofibringen Cryoglobulins

4. Special Handling Chilled specimens Slows down blood cell metabolism Must be completely immersed in a slurry of crushed ice and water Test immediately Tests: Ammonia Lactic acid Blood gases

5. Special Handling Light-sensitive specimens Some analytes are broken down by light Wrap in aluminum foil, use amber tubes or light- blocking transportation containers Test Bilirubin Some vitamins

6. Post-Centrifugation Stopper removal Robotic equipment or Full length shield Specimen behind a bench-top splash shield Cover top with gauze All stoppers should be pulled straight up to minimize aerosols

7. Post-Centrifugation Aliquot preparation A portion of specimen for testing Never pour specimen into aliquot tube-use transfer pipettes Serum and plasma look the same, but do not mix Important to match specimen with aliquot tube, requested test and patient All work done behind bench-top splash shield