Specimen Shipping Out
As experienced shippers of dangerous goods we understand that it is our sole responsibility to identify, prepare, classify, pack, mark, label and document all Repository shipments that contain biological reagents and dangerous goods.All Repository reagent shipments are made in full compliance of all regulations that are established and enforced by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Department of Commerce (DOC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and US postal service for shipment of infectious/dangerous agents and non-infectious and non hazardous biological materials.It is our responsibility to inquire and obtain any permits or licenses from all relevant Government agencies before a reagent shipment is made to a qualified investigator who is located in a foreign country.
Reagent shipments always start by verifying the eligibility requirements of the requesting investigator and/or import country to receive infectious or non-infectious reagents and the status/completion of all reagent request and indemnity documents. We take into account the optimal shipment temperature to preserve the reagent’s integrity, the need for a certified shipping container, an appropriate amount of coolant, if required and all applicable domestic and international import or export permits.
Specimen Receiving
The most important component in receiving and accepting biological reagent and specimen shipments on time and in good condition is the proper initial packaging, marking, labeling, and documenting of the incoming shipment. All incoming reagent shipments by ground or air transport expected to be packed and shipped in full compliance with all requirements for the shipment of dangerous goods, infectious substances and biological products.
Each incoming package of reagents undergoes an external visual inspection for any physical damage. The package is opened and the contents checked for vial/container integrity and reagent condition. The contents of each shipment is audited to validate the material received and for any discrepancies or missing vials or incomplete reagent product information. The inspection results of each shipment are recorded to an in-house receipt form to include date and time received, carrier, airway bill number, number of vials of each reagent, assigned catalog numbers and the condition of the reagents upon arrival. Client is notified within two hours or by the next business day of all reagent shipments that arrive at the repository. All receipt information about the reagents and their storage locations are communicated to the client or if desired, entered into the inventory database.
Storage temperature of specimens is maintained during all shipment processes.