SHIPPING INFORMATION
SHIPPING INFORMATION
COURIER INSTRUCTIONS
To determine if a Labcorp courier services your area, please call Client Services at: 1-800-876-0243.
- Place all samples for a single patient in an individual specimen bag containing absorbent material. Plastic specimen bags/desiccant are available from Labcorp.
- Fold requisitions in half and insert the requisition in the plastic bag so that the patient’s name is displayed.
- Place specimens in biohazard bag and remove blue strip and seal bag.
- If a test requires multiple samples at different temperatures (for example: one frozen sample and one sample at room temperature), place a copy of the requisition with each sample. Write “Duplicate requisition” on each copy of the Test Requisition Form.
- If the Labcorp courier does not stop at your laboratory every day, call the courier and request a special pickup.
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GENERAL PACKAGING INSTRUCTIONS
U.S. Mail and Federal Express require specimen packaging to include the following:
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Watertight primary receptacle.
- Watertight secondary packaging with biohazard labeling.
- Absorbent material (desiccant) placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging.
- Sturdy outside packaging constructed of corrugated fiberboard (cardboard), wood, metal, or plastic.
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GUIDELINES FOR SHIPPING NON-INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
The shipper is responsible for compliance with all shipping regulations regarding proper packaging. To ensure the most rapid turn around times and to preserve the integrity of the specimen, please follow the guidelines listed below. Please call Client Services at1-800-876-0243 if you have any questions regarding test ordering or specimen requirements.
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SHIPPER’S RESPONSIBILITY
The shipper is required to comply with the rules and guidelines for transport of medical specimens as set forth by the United States government, the government of the country of origin, and international regulatory agencies. Failure to follow instructions for packaging and shipping specimens can result in the delay, loss, or destruction of your specimens. Labcorp will not be held responsible for any liability attributable to the shipper’s improper actions or failure to comply with regulations.
- Shipper must comply with any applicable regulations set forth by the countries of origin, transit and destination. Violation of these regulations may be in breach of national laws and can be subject to civil or criminal penalties.
- Shipper must properly identify, classify, package, mark, label, and document content of the shipment in accordance with the laws and regulations of the countries of origin, transit, and destination.
- Shipper must notify Labcorp of the shipping details for tracking purposes.
- Shipper must provide such information to his employees as will enable them to carry out their responsibilities with regard to the transport laws and regulations pertaining to the goods being shipped.
- Shipper’s personnel involved in the preparation of the packages for the transport of clinical specimens must have received training to enable them to carry out their responsibilities. Personnel must be retrained on a regular basis to ensure that their knowledge is current. Initial and recurrent training must be established and maintained by the shipper. All records of such training must be made available upon request to the appropriate authorities.
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PREPARATION/SHIPPING OF ETIOLOGIC AGENTS
Federal regulations require that etiologic agents (infectious substances) be properly prepared and packaged before they are shipped. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 42, Sections 72.1 through 72.5, governs the shipment of etiologic agents. The requirements are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other packaging or other requirements for the transportation of the etiologic agents in interstate traffic prescribed by the Department of Transportation and other agencies of the Federal Government. Labcorp is limited to receiving those specimens listed in the Directory of Services and not all those listed under 52 CFR 72.3.
As the shipper, you are responsible for reviewing specimens to determine if they are considered infectious before sending to Labcorp or giving them to a Labcorp courier for shipment. It is important that you make the determination of whether a specimen is infectious based upon your knowledge of the specimen being sent.
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SHIPPING INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES WITH COURIER
In order to prepare a specimen for our courier that is considered an infectious substance, you should package specimen in Exakt-Pak container provided by Labcorp. If you do not have an Exakt-Pak container, please call Labcorp Customer Service at 1-800-876-0243.
If you would like more information on the Department of Transportation regulations concerning the shipment of infectious substances, please contact Labcorp Customer Service at 1-800-876-0243.
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