Collection Supplies Available

HRL collaborates with clients to help them meet their study requirements. From specimen handling and testing to reporting and storage, HRL will coordinate operations to meet client study needs.

Since sample blood collection is an important aspect of the pre-analytical hemostatic testing, HRL offers blood collection kits tailored to the specific assays requested.

HRL will prepare the requested number of sample collection kits by adding the necessary items including, but not limited to:

Specimen Collection Materials

• Vacutainer Collection Tubes
• Specialty Vacutainer Collection Tubes
• 20-21G needles
• Barrels, Tourniquets, Alcohol Disinfectant Swabs, Cotton
• Collection/Processing/Storage Instruction Sheets
• FedEx forms for return shipment

Specimen Processing Materials

• Transfer Pipettes
• Plastic Aliquot Tubes
• Aliquot Labels
• Plastic Test Tubes (used for platelet free sample preparation)

Specimen Storage/Shipping Materials

• Specimen Freezer Storage Boxes and Labels
• Shipping Instructions
• Shipping Boxes
• Shipping Forms and Labels (TDG compliant)
  

Instructions for Packaging Diagnostic Specimens for Shipping

When packaging specimens for shipping one should use materials and documents to ensure the safe and proper transport of the specimens.

1. Place the sample storage box or sample tubes into a Ziploc bag and seal it.
   
2. Place the Ziploc bag containing the samples into the Styrofoam shipping box.
   
3. Fill the Styrofoam box with dry ice to ensure that the samples remain frozen during shipping. A minimum of 5 lbs of dry ice is required to maintain the samples in a frozen state for 48 hours.
   
4. Secure the lid to the Styrofoam box using packing tape.
   
   Important: Do not tape around the seal of the box. This will not allow the gasses produced from the dry ice to be released and could potentially cause an explosion.
   
   
5. A dry ice sticker should then be filled out with the required information. The sticker should be placed on to the side of the box.
   
6. Attach labels onto the exterior of the box that indicate the Shipper’s name and address and the Receiver’s name and address of the package in BOLD.
   
7. In the case of diagnostic specimens, a UN3373 Biological Substance Category B Label should also be affixed to the outside of the box.
   
8. The FedEx form should be filled out and signed. The Customs Form must also be completed and copied 3 times (all signed in ink). The FedEx form, the original Customs Form and 3 copies of the Customs Form must then be placed into a plastic envelope and mounted to the side of the box.
   
9. Document the tracking number of the package and keep a copy of the FedEx form. Tracking the package can be done through the FedEx website during the shipment.
   
10. Please notify HRL that the package has been sent out. Also it is recommended that HRL be given the tracking number of your shipment so that we can help with assuring your specimens arrive safe.

Specimens should always be sent before Wednesday afternoon to ensure that the package is received before the weekend. Take special care when sending shipments around national holidays.

If you have any questions about shipping specimens, please contact HRL and we will be happy to help you.

For shipping known Infectious Samples please contact us for further instructions on how to comply with Transportation Of Dangerous Goods (TDG) before shipment.