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Triple Packaging of Formalin-Fixed Biological Specimens

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Triple packaging of Formalin-fixed biological specimens has become the accepted standard for transportation within hospitals and to external locations.

Every day, biological specimens are transferred to hospital laboratories in pathology departments from clinical areas such as operating theatres, endoscopy departments and mortuaries.

These include everything from surgical excisions, tissue biopsies, cytology preparations and large anatomical resections.

In addition, gene-therapy products also require a triple packaging solution when being transferred between hospital pharmacies and cellular therapy administration teams.

Why is a triple packaging solution needed?

A triple packaging solution is needed because Formalin-fixed containers pose a risk on two levels. Firstly, there is a risk that specimens could still contain viable pathogens. Secondly, Formalin, which contains formaldehyde, is a hazardous chemical and recognised carcinogen, exposure to which can cause a number of unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms.

By adopting a multi-layered packaging approach, this 3-stage solution helps protect against chemical spills and biological risks, in line with transport safety guidance.

What is triple packaging?

Triple packaging is a three-layer containment system. It consists of:

1. A primary receptacle

Typically, a screw-cap specimen pot, histology container or pathology bucket, the primary receptacle must be chemically resistant to Formalin and leakproof.

It should also be a suitable size for the contents and be clearly labelled with patient identification.

2. Secondary packaging

This is designed to contain any spills should the primary receptacle fail. Made to enclose the whole of the primary receptacle, it may be a sealed specimen transport bag, rigid transport tray or cannister, or a biohazard zip-seal bag.

The absorbent material included in the secondary packaging is very important and should have the correct level of absorbency to capture the entire spill from a compromised primary receptacle.

By choosing an absorbent material that quickly turns a spill to gel, this allows for non-drip disposal in clinical waste, and easier decontamination of the secondary receptacle after a spill.

For more information on effective absorbent material click here.

3. Outer packaging

This final, robust level of external packaging helps to protect the specimen from being damaged through heavy handling and extreme temperatures.

In hospitals, it is typically a rigid transport box, lockable container or a specimen courier case.

It should again be securely closeable and resistant to chemical exposure, to mitigate the risk of spills breaching the secondary packaging.

Triple Packaging of Formalin-Fixed Biological Specimens

Central to the whole issue of triple packaging, is the need for staff to be made fully aware of the risks of handling and transporting biological specimens.

They should receive routine training to ensure that Formalin-fixed specimens are correctly packaged, labelled, and tracked throughout their journey.

The triple packaging of Formalin-fixed biological specimens is a crucial element in maintaining sample integrity and staff safety. For more information click here.

Handling formalin spills in operating theatres

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Formalin spills in operating theatres can pose a significant risk to staff and patients. That said, formalin is not something that can easily be dispensed with.

This is because it plays an important role in the preservation and optimal handling of tissue samples taken from patients in the operating theatre for histological analysis.

This analysis helps medical teams establish clinical diagnoses for patients, allowing them to make informed decisions for further treatment.

As an accurate diagnosis can only be given where the surgical specimen is handled correctly from the point of collection, formalin plays a crucial role in ensuring this.

What is formalin?

Formalin is a formulation of formaldehyde in aqueous solution. It contains around 40% of formaldehyde, which is a gas in normal conditions.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, inhalation of formaldehyde can cause issues such as sore throat and breathlessness and in severe cases issues such as laryngeal and pulmonary oedema. In addition, skin contact may cause irritation and dermatitis, and it is also irritating to the eyes.

As a result, it is perhaps no surprise that formalin is also hazardous and can cause problems with the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. In addition, as of 1st January 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified formaldehyde as a class 1 carcinogen.

How to handle a formalin spill

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 requires employers to carry out risk assessments on the use of hazardous substances such as formalin, including putting in place the correct equipment and procedures to handle hazardous incidences.

As formalin spillages are a major health hazard, it is important to have the correct chemical spill kits in place to handle the spill quickly and safely.

Not only will this help to minimise the risk to staff and patients, but it will also minimise disruption that could lead to cancelled procedures and delays in histological analysis.

As formalin is used when transporting specimens, the spill might happen in the operating theatre, laboratory, or between those two locations.

As such, it can be a good idea to have a wall-mounted chemical spill station in both the operating theatres and laboratory, which is in a fixed location that staff are all aware of.

If the chemical spill station needs to be available for areas in close proximity to each other, a chemical spill station in a portable case could be a better solution.

These spills must always be handled by two members of staff who are fully trained in using the chemical spill kits and know how to clear up the spill in the correct way.

Looking for a chemical spill station?

Developed in conjunction with NHS staff, our chemical spill stations for formalin spills come in both a wall-mounted version or a fast-response carrying-case version.

For more information on our chemical spill stations for formalin spills click here.

Or if you need staff training to use the spill kits you can click here for details of our chemical spill management training.

Alternatively, call Cairn Technology’s chemical spill consultants on 0333 015 4345.