Specimens should be transported in an appropriate container.
Container
Problem
nonsterile container for bacterial culture
contamination
material sent for culture or flow cytometry without transport media or solution
specimen may dry out
transport media out of date
specimen may deteriorate during transport
syringe with attached needle
potential for sharps injury; prohibited by OSHA
frozen sample in glass tube
potential for sharps injury
transfer tubes sealed with parafilm
potential for leakage
tubes with "pop top" caps
may open during air transport; prohibited by DOT
tubes with separator gel (SST or PST)
gel may interfere with some tests; serum or plasma should be spun and transferred to a plastic transport tube
body fluid without anticoagulant
specimen may clot
leaking specimen
contamination of specimen and biohazard risk
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
ICD-10: ,
