What You Get on Every Delivery
Live GPS tracking
Live GPS tracking shared automatically with stakeholders
Signture & Proof of delivery
Photo + signature POD delivered same day
Trained & insured Couriers
W-2 or vetted IC couriers — never app-based gig drivers
Read More About Our Tracking Services
Different specimen types have different transport requirements. Blood samples — must remain at room temperature (15-30°C) for most routine tests. Centrifuged serum and plasma require refrigeration (2-8°C). Whole blood for certain tests must stay at body temperature (37°C). Transport time from collection to lab processing is critical — most specimens must arrive within 2-4 hours. Urine specimens — room temperature transport is acceptable for most tests, but culture specimens should be refrigerated if transport exceeds 30 minutes. Tissue and biopsy specimens — must be transported in formalin-fixed containers, upright, and protected from temperature extremes. Cytology specimens — slides must be fixed immediately and transported flat to prevent artifacts.
Every specimen category has a maximum acceptable transport time. When clinics across Upper East Side, Midtown, and Brooklyn need specimens at labs in Newark or Edison, the clock starts at collection. Xentra Transport medical couriers are trained on transport time requirements for every common specimen type.
OSHA and DOT regulations require a triple-packaging system for diagnostic specimens. Primary container — the specimen tube, cup, or slide. Must be leak-proof with a secure closure. Secondary container — a biohazard bag with absorbent material sufficient to absorb the entire contents of the primary container if it leaks. Outer container — a rigid shipping container labeled with the biohazard symbol, specimen type, and handling instructions.
Labeling requirements include: patient identification on the primary container, biohazard symbol on the secondary and outer containers, specimen type and collection date/time, temperature requirements during transport, and the destination lab name and address. Improperly labeled specimens will be rejected by receiving labs — resulting in delayed results and repeat collections for patients.
Learn More On Our Quality Assurance
Chain of custody for medical specimens documents every person who handles the specimen from collection to lab arrival. At pickup, the courier records: collector name, collection date and time, specimen type and quantity, facility name and address, and courier name and ID. At delivery, the courier records: receiving technician name, delivery date and time, facility name, and specimen condition at handoff. Both parties sign.
Xentra Transport provides digital chain-of-custody documentation on every specimen transport — pickup confirmation, continuous GPS tracking during transport, and delivery confirmation with recipient signature and timestamp. This documentation meets HIPAA requirements and is available to your compliance team for audit purposes. For daily specimen runs between NYC clinics and NJ labs, see our scheduled logistics service. Call 877-709-2711.
See Why They Choose Us
