It’s hot and getting hotter. Extreme temperatures will affect the condition of samples if not shipped properly. This may lead to delays in results if samples arrive at TVMDL in an untestable condition.
TVMDL encourages clients to beat the heat when shipping samples this summer by following these best practices:
- Overnight ship during the week | Samples shipped overnight on a Saturday 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 quickly.
- Ensure proper packaging | Review the test’s packing instructions on the TVMDL website. If needed, add multiple cold packs or dry ice to ensure the sample arrives at the lab at the proper temperature. Please note FedEx will dispose of all leaking packages. Include absorbent material to cushion samples and prevent breakage and leaks. Also, place all paperwork in a bag to protect your information in the event of an internal leak. Additional packaging information can be found on the Shipping page.
- Use the drop off area | Take advantage of the College Station and Canyon laboratories’ sample drop off areas. These areas are open 24/7/365 and offer multiple coolers to store samples. TVMDL staff monitor these areas throughout each business day and process samples upon receipt.
For questions about shipping, visit tvmdl.tamu.edu or call one of the agency’s four laboratory locations.
