Sample transport
Safe shipment of diagnostic samples
As part of the pre-analytical workflow, sample transport involves the safe shipment of diagnostic samples to ensure the protection of all parties involved and to achieve optimal analysis results. Diagnostic samples are potentially infectious and therefore subject to clear hazardous goods regulations according to ADR/RID and IATA.
You can always rely on SARSTEDT's quality when transporting samples in any situation. As a specialist for laboratories and medical technology, we provide you with shipping solutions for both internal and external needs that stand out for their safety and seamless integration into your workflow - to provide you as a user with optimum support. Discover more about the professional and reliable sample transport systems such as Tempus1800®, certified sample transport cases, type-tested outer packaging and directive-compliant shipping containers from SARSTEDT.
Transport of Diagnostic Samples
The transport of diagnostic samples plays a crucial role in medical care and diagnostics. Many clinics no longer operate their own laboratories for cost reasons and rely on external partners. Therefore, reliable sample transport is essential for both patient well-being and the safety of all involved parties.
A compliant and proper sample delivery must meet various legal regulations depending on the type of hazard potential and the chosen shipping method. This is crucial because only compliant packaging, clear labelling, and reliable transport can ensure sample integrity and reduce infection risks. The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by air are the most important regulations for sample transportation in this context.
The key steps in preparing and conducting sample transport include:
Classification of the sample material
Selection of the correct packaging
Selection of transport conditions and shipping method
Clear labelling
Completeness of sample and shipping documents
Internal Shipment
At SARSTEDT, along with suitable shipping systems, we offer innovative transport solutions such as our One-Touch system Tempus1800® for internal shipment of small clinical samples. Discover the most important components here.
Tempus1800® – A Revolution in Sample Transport
The future of automated, intra-organisations sample transport is called Tempus1800®. It involves one-touch handling of small clinical samples which are sent through a single tube system. The applications of Tempus1800® include all tube only samples such as blood, urine, secretions, as well as swabs, tissue, and cell samples in their original sample tubes, which are suitable for examination in everyday clinical practice.
How does Tempus1800® work?
Immediately after sample collection, sample tubes are placed in the sending station and sent directly to the laboratory. Unpackaged samples thus reach the destination for analysis within seconds, without additional steps such as packing and unpacking.
Immediately after sample shipment, Tempus1800® is ready for the next sample delivery. For safe and secure arrival, dispatched samples are gently decelerated and dispensed in a softly padded receiving device. When shipping multiple samples simultaneously, Tempus1800® (Necto) automatically sorts the sample tubes by barcode or dimension and sends them out sequentially.
The advantages of Tempus1800® lie in compliant sample transport with minimal processing times, reduced intermediate steps, faster analysis results, and increased capacity due to shortened overall turnaround time.
Tempus1800®: Products
With our customised Tempus1800® solutions, you optimise your laboratory automation, increase efficiency, shorten total turnaround time, and ensure the highest safety and precision at every step.
Tempus1800® forms the indispensable link in our product portfolio between sample collection, sample distribution, sample delivery, and sample analysis. Discover our various system solutions for sample transport with Tempus1800® today.
In-house Sample Transport Cases
Our in-house transport cases are available in two versions. They have a capacity of up to 100 sample tubes, which can be transported in block racks.
External Shipping
External shipping refers to the transport of diagnostic samples outside the operating facility. This type of shipping may be necessary when:
There is no in-house laboratory available
Specialised sample examinations are required in an external laboratory or reference laboratory
Additional diagnosis is desired
External examinations are conducted for study or research purposes
In general, when externally shipping diagnostic samples, it is important to ensure compliance with all guidelines and regulations regarding proper packaging, sample labelling, transport documentation, and transportation.
Sample Transport Cases - Mobility and Security
Essential components of our product portfolio are our versatile sample transport cases for sample integrity and compliant transport of diagnostic samples. As a transport system in conjunction with the required primary and secondary containers, our transport cases meet the TRBA100 (Technical Rules for Biological Work – German guideline) and P650 ADR (Road Transport) depending on the type.
As a pre-analytical component, our transport cases ensure that samples remain intact during transport with highly insulating foam material. Various designs of our sample transport cases also allow for a demand-oriented range of applications.
Postal Shipping Systems or Postal Transport Boxes - Efficient and Compliant
For the external postal shipping of diagnostic samples of class UN3373, the requirements according to P650 ADR (Road Transport), RID (Rail Transport), and IATA (Air Transport) apply.
All our certified shipping boxes have been tested and approved by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). They meet the applicable requirements for the shipment of "Biological Substance, Category B" in combination with the corresponding primary and secondary requirements, ensuring that contents do not leak due to transport stresses or that sample integrity is compromised by temperature, pressure, and moisture changes.
Our shipping boxes are characterised by their versatile application and cost-effective shipping options. Additionally, they can accommodate all SARSTEDT shipping containers and bottles in various designs and sizes. With the integrated locking mechanism and an included foam pouch, our boxes enable reliable fixation of sample material with optimal protection against pressure, shocks, and vibrations.
Legal Regulations for Sample Transport
To ensure safe, reliable, and compliant sample transport to external laboratories and departments, compliance with legal regulations, guidelines, and classifications is crucial. Learn more about the various packaging regulations below.
Further information on the classification of infectious substances according to dangerous goods regulations as well as the definition of infectious substances of dangerous goods class 6.2 can be found on our e-Campus learning platform.
At a Glance: Differences in Internal and External Shipping
The difference between internal and external shipping mainly lies in the destination and the required transport methods for different types of samples. In internal shipping, samples are sent from the sending station to a laboratory within the healthcare facility . Such transportation does not require certified external packaging. As the term "external" implies, external shipping involves sending samples outside your facility, such as to an external laboratory.
When transporting to external destinations, it requires comprehensive documentation and secure transportation methods. In the case of "Biological Substance, Category B" UN3373, it requires a three-component packaging, always consisting of a primary and secondary container, as well as certified external packaging.
For this purpose, we offer transport solutions such as our courier transport cases, BAM-certified shipping boxes for postal shipping, transport systems for refrigerated shipping, as well as our Tempus1800® solutions for internal one-touch transport directly from the sending station to the laboratory.
Further, faster, gentler!
Tempus1800® uses innovative technology that revolutionizes the transport of small clinical samples in hospitals. Compared to its predecessor, the Tempus1800®, the transport range is extended to up to 1,800 meters, allowing even distant departments to be connected to the sample transport system.
Tempus1800® – Automated one-touch transport of clinical samples.
The Tempus1800® system was developed with the needs of modern hospitals in mind and stands for innovation, reliability and user-friendliness. With its automated sample intake and fast transport options, Tempus1800® ensures the timely delivery of small clinical samples from wards, clinics and blood collection points to the laboratory, taking a crucial step on the path to diagnosis.
Let's work together: Discover the 360° solutions for your pre-analytics
SARSTEDT simplifies your work in practice and laboratory with its coordinated products and systems that are consolidated in the pre-analytical workflow product range. Take advantage of the synergies of our systems to simplify all processes before and after the actual laboratory analysis: collection, transport, receipt and distribution of the specimens in the laboratory. As a leading global provider of pre-analytical solutions and systems, SARSTEDT continuously strives to bring greater reliability and efficiency to your work in pre-analytics.
