“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” This proverb suggests that a timely prevention attempt may avert pain later. As an example, we wear masks to avoid contracting the COVID-19 Virus. Similarly, thermally securing the healthcare transportation system will help safeguard the specimens for accurate results the first time and prevent specimen rejection.
The Rejection Criteria
Laboratories maintain specimen integrity by filtering out improperly identified specimens. Samples received in an incorrect container or outside temperature requirements may invalidate the results, requiring recollection.
1. Unlabelled specimens are considered to be a deficiency. Common unlabelled specimen types such as blood, urine, swabs, sputum, stool, etc., will require recollection.
2. Transported incorrectly with incorrect or mid-sized specimen collection containers, or specimen stability compromised by specimen age, or temperature excursion damages, will require recollection.
70% of laboratory errors originate during the pre-analytical phase. Sample quality is paramount for generating accurate, reliable, and timely patient results. Labs should establish specimen collection and transportation standards. Sample damage hinders testing and leads to specimen recollection, costing the laboratory additional time and resources.
Samples are often collected outside the laboratory and transported back for testing. To protect samples, they must be contained in the correct tube, stored at the proper temperature, processed within the required time frame, and transported in suitable packaging.
Akuratemp Protects Specimen Integrity
Akuratemp designs and produces thermal packaging to ensure specimen temperature security during transportation. Akuratemp’s custom packaging maintains sample quality and temperature preservation during prescribed time limitations. Phase Change Material (PCM) based thermal protection may be used during a power outage and supports local movement and worldwide transportation of specimens. Akuratemp’s features include:
- Custom Design — for the smallest weight-to-volume ratio. They are designed to minimize temperature-related sample rejection of diagnostic and clinical trial specimens.
- Tested for Compliance — Solutions are tested to ISTA summer and winter profiles to comply with required standards.
- Precise Temperature Control — Temperature control is achieved with Phase Change Technology to protect the specimens from freezing or overheating during transportation.
- Remote Real-Time Monitoring — Integrated with TagBox™ sensor for cloud-based real-time and geo-locational monitoring of payload temperature.
Akuratemp offers standardized and custom-designed innovative thermal packaging for the healthcare supply chain to transport diagnostic samples, blood products, organs, cell cultures, stem cells, antibodies, proteins, and pharmaceuticals. Akuratemp is committed to supporting healthcare with temperature-controlled packaging solutions using Phase Change Materials for transporting and storing medical specimens.
Let’s build a better tomorrow. Stay Home, Stay Safe.
Harshul Gupta
CTO, Akuratemp LLC