Test Name MUSCLE/NERVE/RENAL KIT UPDATES
Posted Date
Effective Date
Update Type Important Notification

MUSCLE/NERVE/RENAL KIT UPDATES

MLabs has made several modifications to our muscle, nerve, and renal specimen collection and shipping kits to ensure optimal temperatures and handling during storage and transport.  Glutaraldehyde fixative must be refrigerated until ready for use and during storage and transport of the specimen; formalin and Zeus/Michel’s fixative may be refrigerated. MLabs will begin supplying the new kits effective July 22, 2024. Please use remaining stock of prior version of kits on hand until supply is exhausted.

Please note the following changes to the kits:


Muscle Biopsy (Fresh)

  • The submission protocol has been updated to instruct the recipient to store the cold pack at 4 degrees C instead of frozen for at least 24 hours prior to shipping because the variability of freezer temperatures presents a patient safety risk resulting from the potential for freezing of the glutaraldehyde and formalin fixative specimens during transport.

 

Muscle Biopsy (Frozen)

  • The foil pack used for transport of the refrigerated fixative specimens has been replaced by a Styrofoam box to maintain the glutaraldehyde fixative at refrigerated (4 degrees C) temperature.
  • The submission protocol has been updated to instruct the recipient to store the cold pack used with the refrigerated fixative specimens at 4 degrees C instead of frozen for at least 24 hours prior to shipping because the variability of freezer temperatures presents a patient safety risk resulting from the potential for freezing of the glutaraldehyde and formalin fixative specimens during transport.

 

Nerve Biopsy

  • The shipping box has been updated from a cardboard to a Styrofoam box to maintain the glutaraldehyde fixative at refrigerated (4 degrees C) temperature. 
  • The submission protocol has been updated to instruct the recipient to store the cold pack at 4 degrees C instead of frozen for at least 24 hours prior to shipping because the variability of freezer temperatures presents a patient safety risk resulting from the potential for freezing of the glutaraldehyde and formalin fixative specimens during transport.
  • An MLabs Exempt Human Specimens transport bag is provided for return shipping. This transport bag should be used for UPS, FedEx, and couriered specimens. Labeling on this bag assists our staff in timely and accurate routing of specimens.

 

Renal Biopsy

  • The shipping box has been updated from a cardboard to a Styrofoam box to maintain the glutaraldehyde fixative at refrigerated (4 degrees C) temperature. 
  • The submission protocol has been updated to instruct the recipient to store the cold pack at 4 degrees C instead of frozen for at least 24 hours prior to shipping because the variability of freezer temperatures presents a patient safety risk resulting from the potential for freezing of the glutaraldehyde, formalin, and Zeus/Michel’s fixative specimens during transport.
  • An MLabs Exempt Human Specimens transport bag is provided for return shipping. This transport bag should be used for UPS, FedEx, and couriered specimens. Labeling on this bag assists our staff in timely and accurate routing of specimens.

 

Kit Packaging Changes
Fresh Muscle Biopsy Kit A package with a packet and a document</p> <p>Description automatically generated with medium confidence
  • Cold pack is refrigerated at 4°C instead of being frozen.
Frozen Muscle Biopsy Kit A white box with blue text</p> <p>Description automatically generated
  • Cold pack is refrigerated at 4°C instead of being frozen. 
  • Refrigerated fixative box (Box B) inside of outer shipping box changed from an insulated pouch to Styrofoam.
  • Both Styrofoam containers are sealed closed with a rubber band.
  • Outer shipping box is 5” taller to accommodate the refrigerated fixative box.
Nerve Biopsy Kit A close-up of a package</p> <p>Description automatically generated
  • Cold pack is refrigerated at 4°C instead of being frozen.
  • Container changed from a cardboard box to Styrofoam.
  • Container is sealed closed with a rubber band.
  • MLabs Exempt Human Specimens transport bag is provided for return shipping for UPS, FedEx, and couriered specimens.
Renal Biopsy Kit A close-up of a container</p> <p>Description automatically generated
  • Cold pack is refrigerated at 4°C instead of being frozen.
  • Container changed from a cardboard box to Styrofoam.
  • Container is sealed closed with a rubber band.
  • MLabs Exempt Human Specimens transport bag is provided for return shipping for UPS, FedEx, and couriered specimens.

 

Please also note the following color-coded dot stickers used on the fixative vials:

  • Formalin – Pink – used for histology / light microscopy. 
  • Glutaraldehyde – Green – used for electron microscopy. Store refrigerated.
  • Zeus/Michel’s – Yellow – used for immunofluorescence microscopy.

 

 


 

 

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