Much of Texas is beginning to experience triple digit heat. Typically, this period of extreme temperature will stretch across the entire summer. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) encourages clients to ensure samples are shipped with these temperatures in mind.
Here are a few tips to consider when shipping samples to TVMDL this summer:
- If possible, try not to ship samples on the weekend. If samples are shipped overnight on a Saturday, they will arrive at the postal warehouse on Sunday. Even with the best cold packs, samples are unlikely to arrive at TVMDL at the proper temperature when delivered the following Monday. During the week, ship samples priority overnight, if possible, to guarantee they arrive at the laboratory as quick as possible.
- Ensure all samples that should be temperature controlled are packaged properly. This means adding in multiple cold packs or dry ice, depending on the specimen.
- Take advantage of the College Station laboratory and Canyon laboratory’s 24/7 sample drop off area. If within driving distance to one of these labs, consider bringing the samples and storing them in one of TVMDL’s coolers.
Learn more about the importance of using cold packs by viewing TVMDL’s serum sample guideline handout. For more information on how to properly pack a specimen for shipment to TVMDL, view the agency’s shipping box packing guide.
As a reminder, each test in the TVMDL catalog offers instructions on the proper methods for shipping samples. For questions regarding shipping samples to one of TVMDL’s laboratories, call the laboratory nearest to you.
