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Safe Transport of Specimens in Operating Theatres

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The safe transport of specimens in operating theatres is vital to ensure the safety of staff and patients, as well as the integrity of the biological specimen.

In a theatre setting, staff handling specimens face particular challenges and risks because specimens are often taken quickly during surgery.

Commonly excised tissue includes lung tissue, lumpectomy samples, and bone marrow, amongst many others, while bodily fluids are also regularly taken as samples.

 

Typical risks to the safe transport of specimens

In fast-moving situations, it can be all too easy for staff to overfill the specimen container or to fail to close the lid correctly.

In both cases, this can lead to the contents spilling out, risking cross-contamination and compromising specimen integrity.

There is also a risk that specimens left to one side in the theatre could be damaged during theatre turnaround.

In addition to making the specimens unusable, these situations can also lead to the surgeon needing to take further specimens. This takes up more time in theatres, and causes additional stress to the patient.

 

Tackling the risks to biological specimen transportation

The risks to specimens taken in theatres can be minimised by taking a planned approach to specimen handling in that environment.

Staff should be trained fully in correct specimen containment and transportation. Whilst, a system should be put in place for logging any issues. These can then be reviewed with a view to addressing these risks and preventing reoccurrence.

Creating a dedicated specimen collection station can ensure that specimens are handled away from ‘high-traffic’ areas, whilst having pre-assembled triple packaging kits to hand ensures for a convenient and systematic containment process.

By ensuring that specimens are transferred to pathology immediately after packaging, the risk of damage during theatre turnaround is avoided.

 

Triple Packaging of Biological Specimens

Our superabsorbent Riskpads are ideal as the absorbent material required in the secondary packaging of a triple packaging system for the safe transport of specimens.

Capable of absorbing water-based fluids such as blood, urine and other body fluids, they turn the fluid to gel to prevent dripping.

For more information on our Riskpad products that can help with the safe transport of specimens click here. Or call us on 0333 015 4345 for free samples to try in your operating theatres, laboratory, or pathology department.

Or for more information on the triple packaging requirements for biological specimens in hospitals click here.

 

 

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.