Packaging of specimens must comply with DOT, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the requirements of the overnight carrier used.
Instructions for shipment:
- Label the tube with the patient’s first and last name, date of birth, unique identifying number (e.g. medical record number), specimen type, and time and date of collection.
- Send a completed requisition form for the test being ordered.
- Verify that the appropriate specimen requirements have been met (sample type, volume, collection tube type).
- Wrap the specimen in absorbent packing material, place in a leak-proof biohazard bag, then into a crushproof primary container and finally into a secondary container.
- Ship all specimens overnight. If shipment is not possible the same day as collection, keep blood collected in green top tubes at room temperature and ship overnight the next day. For blood collected in purple top tubes, refrigerate the sample and ship overnight the next day.
FedEx “How to Pack” brochure - specific guidelines for shipping items.
Ship all specimens to:
Attn: Genetics Laboratory
Shodair Children’s Hospital
2755 Colonial Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Saturday delivery is accepted; please call the lab at (406) 444-7532 if you expect a shipment to arrive on Saturday.
For in-state shipments, courier options include Fed Ex, bus, US Postal Service, or Medical Logistics*.
For out-of-state shipments, Fed Ex is the courier of choice. DHL courier service is not currently available in Montana.
For Maternal Serum Screening samples, mailing containers are available to use for shipment of specimens. Call (406) 444-7532 to order.
*Medical Logistics has a contract with Yellowstone Pathology Institute, Hematology/Oncology Center, Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Hospital, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, and Bozeman OB/GYN, and the offices of David Jackson MD and Douglas Neuhoff MD for courier services.
Unacceptable Specimens
The integrity of the sample is crucial for accurate test results. A sample will be considered unacceptable under the following conditions: hemolysis, inappropriate transport temperature, incorrect sample type or collection tube, and sample age.
Specimen Preparation
| Test | Specimen type | Specimen Requirements |
| Cytogenetics Chromosome Analysis | Oncology (Peripheral) Blood | 5-10ml collected in green top (sodium heparin) tube |
| Cytogenetics Chromosome Analysis | Bone Marrow aspirate | 1-2ml collected in green top (sodium heparin) tube; |
| Cytogenetics Chromosome Analysis | Amniotic Fluid | 20-25ml collected in sterile transport tubes |
| Cytogenetics Chromosome Analysis | Chorionic Villi | 20-30mg collected in sterile transport tubes with media |
| Cytogenetics Chromosome Analysis | Fetal Tissue (placenta, POC) | 20-30mg tissue collected in sterile transport tubes with media |
| Cytogenetics FISH | Prenatal (amniotic fluid) | 5ml collected in sterile transport tubes |
| Cytogenetics Microdeletion FISH | Peripheral blood or Fixed cell pellet from cytogenetic studies |
1-10ml collected in green top (sodium heparin) tube |
| Cytogenetics Oncology FISH | Peripheral blood or bone marrow
or Fixed cell pellet from cytogenetic studies or Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections |
1-3ml bone marrow aspirate or 1-10ml peripheral blood collected in green top (sodium heparin) tube Two 4-micron unstained sections on Poly-L-Lysine or Silane coated slides |
| Cytogenetics Her-2/neu FISH | Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections | Two 4-micron unstained sections on Poly-L-Lysine or Silane coated slides |
| Maternal Serum Screening | Serum | 2-3ml collected in a no additive red top or gel barrier tube |
| Molecular Diagnostics | Peripheral Blood | 5-10ml collected in purple top (EDTA) tube |
| Molecular Diagnostics | Cultured Amniocytes or chorionic villi | 3 confluent T-25 flasks |
| Pharmacogenetics | Peripheral Blood | 5-10ml collected in purple top (EDTA) tube |
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