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GUIDELINES FOR DESPATCH OF SPECIMENS FOR LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS
N Naganathan: NTI Newsletter 1973, 10, 35-38.

This paper brings out certain guidelines to be followed at the time of despatch of specimens for laboratory investigations. Despatch of pathological specimens to laboratories situated away from the place of collection for investigations is quite a common practice. Often those despatching the specimens are not aware of the procedures. Specimens are packed like any other articles sent by post.

There are two important points to be remembered when pathological specimens are sent for investigations. One of them is preservation of the material so that the specimens reach the laboratory in a condition fit for necessary investigations. The other is the proper packing of the specimens to prevent leakage from or breakage of the containers during transit so that they do not become hazardous to persons handling them. For microscopy, it is better to send fixed smears wrapped in a paper and properly labelled. For culture, specimens should always be sent in a sterile container. It is preferable to send them in ice to prevent overgrowth of contaminants and drying. If the transport time is 3-4 days, they can be sent at room temperature. It is advisable to send bulky liquid specimens and more than one specimen through a messenger instead of by post or as an unaccompanied parcel. In case this is not possible, it will be advisable to send them in more than one parcel depending on the number to be sent instead of sending all specimens as a single parcel.

KEY WORDS: GUIDELINES, SPECIMEN, LABORATORY, DESPATCH, INVESTIGATIONS.
 
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