When should a blood specimen be transported to the laboratory?

The timing of transporting a blood specimen to the laboratory is critical for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of test results. When a blood specimen is transported immediately after collection, it minimizes the risk of hemolysis, bacterial growth, and changes in the components of the blood that can occur over time. Some tests require that the specimens be analyzed as soon as possible to prevent degradation, especially those sensitive to temperature or time delays.

Transporting blood specimens only after the site has completely healed is not relevant to the process of laboratory analysis and could lead to unnecessary delays. Refrigerating the specimen for several hours could compromise certain analytes and may not be appropriate for all tests. Transporting specimens during routine laboratory hours may not be sufficient if a timely analysis is necessary, as some tests could be affected by delays. Therefore, immediate transport is essential for maintaining sample integrity and obtaining accurate test outcomes.