Courier Services and Shipment Procedures

Pathology/Histotechnology Laboratory Procedures

Specimen Transport

Courier services can be arranged through Stephanie Smith (301-846-1281), Histotechnology Departmental Administrative Assistant, for the collection of animals, samples, or other materials directly from the NIH-Bethesda campus to our laboratory at NCI Frederick.

Animal Shipments

To arrange animal shipments to Frederick please first contact the Necropsy department to schedule date and time of the necropsies. Mice must be placed in proper animal transport boxes with food and gel pack. These materials can be obtained from the investigator’s animal facilities.

Biohazardous and Radiological Materials

Biohazardous and radiological material (tissue samples, paraffin blocks, slides, etc.) submitted to PHL requires the NCI-Frederick "Request for Shipment" http://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/campus/safety/wizard/ be submitted electronically one day prior to the date of shipment. The requestor must print the form, sign, and fax to 301-846-1953 or email to smiths3@mail.nih.gov.

Specimens must be submitted with the appropriate online request form, found at http://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/rtp/lasp/phl/forms.asp. Failure to submit a request form with the specimens will delay sample processing.

Packaging instructions: Specimens must be triple packaged, consisting of a primary receptacle, secondary receptacle (both water tight) and an outer packaging. Be sure the package is properly labeled with the sender’s name, recipient name, building and room, and contents.

Blood Chemistry Analysis and Hematology

PHL recommends at least 48 hours notice when requesting hematology and chemistry services. Contact Bobbi Smith (301-846-1275 or 301-846- 5942) to schedule these services. Specimens must include the appropriate form from below.

http://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/rtp/lasp/phl/PHL_Hematology_Request.doc
http://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/rtp/lasp/phl/hbcrequest.asp

Follow packaging instructions from section above.

Blood Samples

Blood samples must be packaged in the same manner as tissue specimens except the outer packaging must state "Diagnostic Specimen," and please call ahead before sampling.

Specimen Handling and Delivery

Specimens should be sent with complete information as to investigator, protocol, storage, stability, required analysis, and contact person’s e-mail address and telephone number.

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