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
- Sturdy cardboard shipping box
- Clear, sealable biohazard specimen
transport bag
- The transport bag should have absorbent
paper inside
- Ice packs (not dry ice)
- Absorbent packing peanuts (or Styrofoam box
that fits in the cardboard box)
- Sealable plastic bag for paperwork
2. Collection swabs
- DO NOT USE the Copan
Transystem swab designed for CRO Colonization testing
- For Candida colonization, use ESwabs as shown below:

It is required that UN3373 shipping guidelines are followed: |
Primary Packaging: the ESwab collection tube Secondary Packaging: Sealable, clear, plastic biohazard specimen transport bag
Outer Packaging: Cardboard shipping box |
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. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199
Please telephone Denise Dunbar at 512-776-7342 if you have any questions
about shipping
