DELAWARE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Public Health
Delaware Public Health Laboratory
30 Sunnyside Road
Smyrna, Delaware 19977

Phone: 302.223.1520
Fax: 302.653.2877

ACCEPTABLE/UNACCEPTABLE PREPAREDNESS TESTING SAMPLES
Preparedness Specimens WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED unless laboratory
testing has been authorized by Dr. Getchell or Christina Pleasanton.

ALL SPECIMENS MUST BE PROPERLY COLLLECTED, PACKAGED, SHIPPED
AND DECONTAMINATED BEFORE TRANSPORT TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE
DELAWARE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY.

ACCEPTABLE CHEMICAL PREPAREDNESS SPECIMENS
1. At this time, DPHL Chemical Terrorism Lab only accepts Clinical Samples and drinking
water samples.

	1.1. Clinical: Follow the “Shipping Instructions for Specimens Collected 
	     from People potentially Exposed to Chemical Terrorism Agents” Guidance 
	     from the CDC.

	1.2. Use DPHL/ODW drinking water kits for environmental samples.

2. ALL Sample collection (routine, potential occupational or inadvertent chemical exposure,
chemical terrorism, industrial incident, etc.) must follow the above guidance.

3. Routine samples must be discussed prior to submission.

	3.1. Preliminary tests of drinking water for trace metals are available.

4. Samples must be properly stored post collection through receipt by DPHL.

	4.1. Blood samples are to be refrigerated at 4C, never frozen, and shipped 
	     with cold packs.

	4.2. Urine samples are to be frozen and stored at -70C if possible, and shipped 
	     with dry ice if possible.

	4.3. Drinking water samples must be analyzed within 24 hours of collection.

ACCEPTABLE BIOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS SPECIMENS

1. For environmental samples for Real-Time PCR testing, collect two (if possible) unmoistened
non-cotton swabs and put in two separate sterile tubes. Decontaminate outside of
tubes with 1:10 bleach solution. Put tubes in plastic bag and decontaminate outside of that
bag. Place in final bag and decontaminate again. Submit to laboratory.

2. For clinical samples for Real-Time PCR testing, refer to the following Current BT List for
collection instructions. Package samples as in #1 and submit to lab.

3. For viral testing, collect vesicular swabs, dry or immersed in transport medium depending on
viral test ordered. Scabs from crusted lesions are also acceptable. Follow instructions from
the Current BT list below. Check with virology supervisor with specific questions for
collection. Package sample as in #1 and submit to laboratory.

4. For environmental samples for culture, collect using a culturette or lightly moisten a swab
and place it in sterile tube. Refrigerate if specimen will not arrive at the lab the same day.
Package sample as in #1.

5. Powder contained in its original package or envelope is an acceptable sample. If there is a
large amount of powder, it may be put into a sterile container and tightly sealed. Prepare as
in #1.

UNACCEPTABLE SPECIMENS FOR PREPAREDNESS TESTING

1. Meeting any of the above general unacceptable specimens guidelines for Preparedness
testing.

2. Unopened packages or letters that have not been triaged or field screened for explosives,
biologicals, chemicals, or radiation.

3. Opened packages that are too large to fit under the biological safety cabinet can not be
processed as is. Packages must be smaller than 8 inches in height and less than 12 X 24
inches in width or length. To test large packages, specimens must be taken in the field
using two sterile non-cotton swabs or material put in a small sterile container (urine cup,
etc.)

4. Clinical Chemical Preparedness samples that have been improperly stored. Samples must be
transported within 30 minutes of packaging.

5. Samples with missing information on DPHL Chain of Custody Form and/or Request for
Preparedness Testing Form.

6. Wrong or improperly collected samples submitted for test requested.

	6.1. Please see DPHL Collection Procedures and Current Testing Available for 
	     further information.

7. Inadequate volume of sample submitted.

8. Non-screened environmental samples.

9. Samples improperly packaged and/or shipping incorrectly.

10. Samples shipped without proper authorization.

Updated 1/6/06
Doc #35-05-20/07/03/83