DELAWARE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Public Health
Delaware Public Health Laboratory  
30 Sunnyside Road  
Smyrna, DE 19977  
Phone: 302.223.1520 Fax: 302.653.2877  

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPAREDNESS SPECIMEN PACKAGING, TRANSPORT,  
COMPLETION OF REQUEST FOR TESTING FORM AND CHAIN OF CUSTODY FORM  

PLEASE notify the DPHL prior to collecting a sample to discuss specimen/sample type, to confirm testing methods 
available, and to coordinate transportation.  This document is for both Biological Preparedness and Chemical 
Preparedness samples.  Please review the appropriate section for the desired testing. 


ALL PREPAREDNESS SAMPLES: 
Chain of Custody: Each person who accepts custody of a legal sample also accepts responsibility for ensuring the 
security of that sample. If a legal sample is to be left unattended, it should always be stored in a locked 
compartment. When possible the sample transport container should also be locked or sealed (i.e. evidence tape) 
in a manner to detect tampering. 
1.	The submitter will complete the Chain of Custody form from the beginning of the page 
	and ending with their signature and date in the “Received from” section (located just 
	below the Test Requested section). 
	a.	If submitting more than one environmental sample, also complete 
		the Chain of Custody for Multiple Environmental Preparedness 
		Samples.  Attach additional copies if necessary. 
	b.	A separate Chain of Custody for Clinical Preparedness Samples 
		form is necessary for each patient. 
2.	The submitter will complete the appropriate (clinical or environmental) Request for 
	Preparedness Testing form.  Only ONE Request is needed per batch of samples submitted.  
	Submit clinical and environmental samples separately. 
3.	The completed Chain of Custody form, the appropriate Request for Preparedness Testing 
	(Clinical or Environmental), and any other supporting documentation, should be sealed 
	tightly in its own plastic zip-lock bag and attached to the exterior of the sample 
	transport container. 
4.	The submitter is responsible for ensuring sample security as long as the specimen is 
	in their custody. 
5.	When the custody of the sample is transferred, each receiver will document sample 
	receipt and release. 
6.	Copies of the chain of custody form may be provided to submitters, the original is 
	retained with the sample. 

Sample Transport: Samples may be delivered to the laboratory using any of the following methods: 
1.	Delivery by the Submitter: Contact DPHL at 302.223.1520 prior to transport/delivery. 
2.	DPHL courier: Call 302.223.1520 to arrange pickup. Please keep in mind that using the 
	DPHL courier may increase transport time. 
3.	Professional Carrier: FedEx, DHL, or UPS.  Specify rush delivery. 
 	a.	Use Packing Instruction 602 (Infectious Substances) for Biological 
		Preparedness Samples. 
 	b.	Use Packing Instruction 650 (Diagnostic Specimens) for Chemical 
		Preparedness Samples. 

Biological Preparedness Samples:  
Contact the Clinical Microbiology Section of DPHL at 302.223.1520.  

Sample Packaging:  Correctly preserving and preparing samples for transport is critical to ensuring the integrity 
of the sample and the safety of those handling these samples. Steps for preparing samples for transport are as 
follows. 
1.	The submitter should contact the Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) at 302.223.1520 to 
	answer any questions related to any aspect of sample collection, preservation, packaging, 
	and/or transport. 
2.	Samples must be labeled and tightly sealed in a container (blood tube, specimen cup, etc).  
	Double bag the specimen in plastic biohazard bags or place in double mail container.  Place 
	biohazard label on container or bag if one if not present. 
3.	Place in a transport container, preferably a cardboard box made for shipment of infectious 
	substances (available through Fisher, Allegiance or other lab supplier).  Fill container 
	with bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, etc. to prevent breakage of sample.  If ice or ice 
	packs are necessary for transport, contain the ice so that leakage into specimen or out 
	of the transport box is avoided. 
4.	Transport containers should be secured with evidence tape. The signature of the person 
	sealing the evidence and the date must be written across the seal in indelible ink. 
5.	Mark “Send to: Delaware Public Health Laboratory, 30 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, Delaware 
	19977” on the outside of the transport container. Attach chain of custody and request 
	for testing forms to the box according to the instructions above. 

Chemical Preparedness Samples:  
Contact the Chemical Terrorism Section of DPHL at 302.223.1520.  

Sample Packaging: Correctly preserving and preparing samples for transport is critical to ensuring the integrity 
of the sample and the safety of those handling these samples. Steps for preparing samples for transport are as 
follows: 
1.	The submitter should contact the Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) at 302.223.1520 to 
	answer any questions related to any aspect of sample collection, preservation, packaging, 
	and/or transport. 
2.	Clinical sample collection must follow CDC’s “Chemical Terrorism Event Specimen Collection”. 
3.	Follow packaging guidelines for clinical samples provided in the CDC document “Shipping 
	Instructions for Specimens Collected from People Potentially Exposed to Chemical Terrorism Agents”. 
4.	Samples must be labeled and tightly sealed in a container (blood tube, specimen cup, etc.). 
 	a.	Follow Packing Instruction 650 (Diagnostic Specimens/Biological Substance 
		Category B) for clinical samples. 
 	b.	Environmental samples must minimally be double bagged with the exterior 
		decontaminated.  Utilize drinking water sampling bottles for large volume samples. 
5.	Place biohazard label on container or bag if one if not present (clinical samples only). 
6.	The initials of the person sealing the evidence and the date must be across the seal of all tubes, 
	containers, and bags in indelible ink. 
7.	At each step of packaging, all closure points (tube or cup, bags, boxes, containers, etc.) must be 
	sealed with evidence tape with the collector’s initials written half on and half off the tape. 
8.	Place in a transport container, preferably a cardboard box made for shipment of infectious substances 
	(available through Fisher, Allegiance or other lab supplier) that complies with Packing Instruction 650. 
 	a.	Fill container with enough sorbent to prevent breakage of sample. Contain 
		ice packs or dry ice so that leakage into specimen or out of the transport 
		box is avoided. 
 	b.	Urine samples must be frozen or freeze in shipment, dry ice is recommended. 
 	c.	Blood tubes must NOT freeze, but be chilled, ice packs are recommended. 
 	d.	Blood and urine must be packaged and shipped separately. 
9.	Transport containers should be secured with evidence tape. The signature of the person sealing the evidence 
	and the date must be written across the seal in indelible ink. 
10.	Mark “Send to: Delaware Public Health Laboratory, 30 Sunnyside Road Smyrna, Delaware 19977”, on the 
	outside of the transport container. Attach chain of custody and request for testing form to the box. 
11.	Follow Packing Instruction 904 if using dry ice. 
12. 	If directed to ship clinical samples to CDC: 
 	a.	Contact DPHL for further directions and shipping address. 
 	b.	Follow guidelines provided in the CDC document “Shipping Instructions 
		for Specimens Collected from People Potentially Exposed to Chemical 
		Terrorism Agents”. 
 	c.	Complete the Airway Bill if samples are being flown. 

Updated 01/06/06	Page 2 of 2 

Doc #35-05-20/07/03/86