PROCEDURE FOR SHIPMENT OF PATIENT SWABS FOR CANDIDA AURIS

PURPOSE  

C. auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that can cause invasive infections with high mortality and has been transmitted in healthcare settings. Identifying persons colonized with C. auris is a key step in containing the spread of C. auris. This document outlines the procedure for shipping swabs collected from patients to assess for C. auris colonization.  

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS NEEDED 

1. Shipping Materials

1. Sturdy cardboard shipping box
2. Clear, sealable biohazard specimen transport bag  
   • The transport bag should have absorbent paper inside
3. Ice packs (not dry ice)
4. Absorbent packing peanuts (or Styrofoam box that fits in the cardboard box)
5. Sealable plastic bag for paperwork 

2. Collection swabs 

1. DO NOT USE the Copan Transystem swab designed for CRO Colonization testing
2. For Candida colonization, use ESwabs as shown below: 
   
       

1.   Check to make sure each ESwab has been firmly screwed closed and appropriately labeled.

Please note that you must have 2 matching unique identifiers on both submission G-2E form and the specimen (patient full name and date of birth are typically the two identifiers used). 

****************************In Case of SPILL********************************

*If an ESwab is accidentally spilled, please recollect the sample with a new ESwab. If you are unable to recollect the sample, ship the swab as is. Do not add liquid into the ESwab tube or attempt to retrieve spilled liquid. 

2.   Place 1 ESwab into each clear plastic biohazard specimen transport bag. Biohazard specimen

transport bag comes with a piece of absorbent paper in the bag to absorb any possible leaks.

Firmly seal the bag.

*Do not tape the ESwabs or bags shut. If they are damaged then exchange them for new ones.

3.   Place ice packs into a large, shippable cardboard box. Place the clear bags of ESwabs onto the ice

packs, then fill the remaining space in the box with absorbent packing peanuts.

*Make sure ice packs are sealed and will not leak and damage the shipping box

*If desired, ice and samples can be placed in a Styrofoam box within the cardboard shipping box

4.   Place an itemized list of the contents in the box in a sealed plastic bag

5.   Close the shipping box and seal it

6.   In a visible location on the outside of the shipping container write:

a.     Diagnostic Specimens

b.     Name, address, and telephone number of the responsible person

c.      Attach UN3373 sticker

7.   Use the ARLN FedEx account to ship:

Please email TexasARLN@dshs.texas.gov for instructions for logging into the FedEx account.

8.   When you log in to the FedEx site, please follow these steps:

a.     Ignore the “My Shipment” profile if this is your first time to use this account.

b.     Under “From”, click “Edit” and enter your facility information.  Check “save new sender in address book” so that you can use the same information in the future.

c.      Under “To”, please select contact name “Denise Dunbar”.  The Texas DSHS Laboratory address will be populated for you.

d.     Enter information under package and shipment details.

e.   Please make sure to double check under “special service”. If you are not sending anything on dry ice, please make sure “dry ice” is not checked. We’ve heard someone said that “dry ice” was automatically checked for them for some reason.

The address should populate automatically.  If it does not, please use: 

Texas Department of State Health Services

Laboratory Services Section

1100 W. 49^th Street

Austin, TX 78756-3199

Please telephone Denise Dunbar at 512-776-7342 if you have any questions about shipping