Labeling & Shipping Information

You can send a rapid on-site collection device (presumptive positives only), or you can send specimens collected using an appropriate urine or oral fluid collection container. To confirm dip or cassette format devices, please send only the collected specimen, and not the device.

For additional information on specimen labeling and shipping, visit Learning XChange.

Urine & Saliva Packaging Principles

The following is a brief description of how to label and send your urine specimen in to the laboratory for testing:

1. With the donor watching, tightly seal the container lid/cap. If using tamper resistant tape (security seal), place the tape over the lid and down the sides of the container. Instruct the donor to sign his/her initials to the tamper resistant tape.

2. Place the patient I.D. label (prepared while or after the donor collected the specimen) around the specimen bottle/collector. The label should cover the ends of the tamper seal if used.

3. If using a drug screen test request form, have the donor read and sign the Donor Certification section, certifying the urine or oral fluid is the donor's and the specimen is sealed and labeled properly.


4. 

   All on-site device samples & lab urine samples: After labeling and sealing the specimen tightly, place it into a RTL branded plastic baggie with absorbent material. Ensure baggie is sealed. Store in a secure area until the specimen is ready to be shipped to the laboratory.
   
   Lab RTL-Oral fluid samples: After labeling and sealing the specimen tightly, place the transport tube into the original outer packaging provided with the collector device. Ensure baggie is sealed. Store in a secure area until the specimen is ready to be shipped to the laboratory.

   

Important!

The oral fluid sample cannot be processed without the information supplied on the test request form. If the test request form does not accompany the specimen, testing will be delayed. Please follow these guidelines when shipping your specimen(s) to the laboratory:

• Five or more specimens: Please use the lab pack provided by RTL
• Fewer than five specimens: Please use the pre-paid U.S. mailer boxes
• Oral fluids and urine may be sent in the same lab pack when sending five or more specimens (e.g. three urine specimens and two oral specimens).
• Please do not mix oral fluid and urine specimens in the same postage-paid mailer box! Per U.S. Postal Service regulations, use the box provided specifically for each type of test as indicated on the pre-paid label.