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