Transport of samples to KingsPath

Packaging requirements for potentially infectious samples sent by GPs on King's Trust road transport vehicles.

Samples from GPs transported by designated vehicles provided by King’s Trust must be carried in compliance with the UK road transport regulations.

When being transported, infectious substances must be packaged according to the UN standard Packaging Instruction (PI) 650.

For more information, read the HSE biosafety guide.

Infectious substances include material that is known to contain, or is reasonably expected to contain, pathogens and should therefore be packaged as follows:

  1. Put all samples in individual plastic ‘kangaroo’ type sample bags.
  2. Put individual sample bags in a large, clear plastic sample bag that contains absorbent material (eg a sufficient amount of paper towelling to absorb any leakage).
  3. Place the large bag in a rigid sample transport container.
  4. Only rigid outer containers supplied by the Trust may be used to transport samples to the laboratory by road.
  5. There should be sufficient absorbent material lining the outer rigid container to absorb any spillage from samples.
  6. If samples leak into the box, dispose of the paper lining as clinical waste.
  7. If the container becomes contaminated, disinfect it by wiping out with 10% diluted Microsol 3 (50ml of stock into 450ml of deionised water).

Transport of samples in formalin to Histopathology

Formalin is covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Before formalin is used in the workplace, risk assessments under COSHH must be carried out to ensure that people are not exposed to formaldehyde vapour. Formaldehyde has a workplace exposure limit of 2 parts per million and is a potential carcinogen.

Formalin spillage control granules should be available wherever formalin is used or stored, and staff trained in their use.

Granules are available from Leica Microsystems.

Advice on the safe use of formalin may be obtained by contacting the Histopathology department on 020 3299 3091.

Samples in formalin must not be sent in the postal system. Samples for Histology, and liquid based Cytology, may only be sent by King’s Trust transport vehicles as follows:

  1. Ensure the cap of the primary container is securely fastened.
  2. Wrap the primary container in absorbent material and place it in a sample bag.
  3. Place the sample bag into a large plastic bag or cardboard box and put it into the transport box. Ensure the sample remains upright in the transport box.
  4. The surgery must keep a log of all samples for Histology sent via King’s Trust transport. The patient’s name, the type of sample and the date and time the sample was sent to KingsPath must be recorded, as well as the signature of the person who packaged and sent it.