What is the primary risk involved in mailing laboratory specimens?

Mailing laboratory specimens involves several considerations, but the primary risk is the loss of sample integrity. This refers to the possibility that the sample may be compromised during transport due to factors like temperature variations, contamination, or physical damage to the specimen container. Maintaining the integrity of the specimen is crucial for accurate test results; if the sample is altered or degraded, it can lead to incorrect conclusions and affect patient safety.

While pricing errors, improper documentation, and delivery delays may pose challenges when sending specimens, they do not directly impact the quality and reliability of the biological material being tested. Loss of sample integrity is critical because an unfit specimen can render the entire testing process ineffective, which can have serious implications for diagnosis and treatment.