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Hi ACIPC team,
I have searched for best practice guidelines relating to specimen fridge and sample management. While I was unable to find guidance specific to residential aged care homes, I did locate general guidance as well as resources relevant to pathology services.
I also accessed the ACIPC member section but was unable to find any resources specifically related to specimen fridge or sample management.
Please see my findings below and let me know whether I am on the right track. I would also appreciate any resources or guidance you can share on specimen fridge and sample management.
Specimens that require refrigeration should generally be stored at 2°C to 8°C, unless the pathology provider specifies a different requirement for a particular test. Some pathology collection guidance lists blood, urine and faeces samples at 2–8°C, while others identify certain specimens as requiring 4°C refrigeration. Always follow the collecting laboratory’s test-specific instructions.
Do not refrigerate specimens that must remain at room temperature, such as some blood samples or specimens in formalin, unless directed by the pathology provider.
Monitoring requirements
Use a designated specimen fridge where possible; specimens should not be stored with food, drinks, medications, vaccines, or other non-specimen items.
Monitor and document the fridge temperature at least daily, and preferably twice daily in residential aged care settings where specimens may be stored overnight or over weekends.
Use a calibrated thermometer or data logger and record:
current temperature
minimum and maximum temperature since last check
date, time, and staff initials
any corrective action taken.
Safe storage requirements
Treat all pathology specimens as biohazardous material during collection, storage, and transport. Specimens should be sealed in biohazard bags and stored in a leak-proof container or designated fridge compartment.
Pathology forms should remain with the specimen but not in the same compartment if there is a leakage risk.
Ensure specimens are clearly labelled with resident identifiers, specimen type, and date/time of collection, consistent with pathology collection requirements.
Escalation for temperature excursions
If the specimen fridge temperature is outside the required range:
Quarantine affected specimens and do not send them until advice is received.
Contact the pathology provider to confirm whether specimens remain suitable for testing.
Document the excursion, including duration, temperature reached, affected specimens, advice received, and actions taken.
Notify the Registered Nurse/Manager and arrange recollection if advised by pathology.
Check fridge function, door seal, power supply, overloading, and staff practice to prevent recurrence.
Good governance practice
Maintain a specimen fridge temperature log and retain records according to organisational policy.
Ensure staff are trained in:
specimen collection and labelling
correct storage temperature
biohazard handling
transport and courier processes
escalation of temperature breaches.
Review monitoring logs during IPC audits or clinical governance checks.
Align local procedure with the pathology provider’s collection manual and relevant national pathology standards, as the Australian pathology standards set requirements for safe specimen collection, equipment, documentation and collection procedures.
Thanks,Huda
