WAC 296-823-14045   Place specimens in an appropriate container.  

     You must:

     • Place specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) in an appropriate container that prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing, storage, transport, or shipping

     • Make sure the container is properly labeled or color-coded and closed before being stored, transported, or shipped.

     – If outside contamination of the container occurs, the container must be placed inside a second container that prevents leakage and is properly labeled or color-coded

     – If the specimen could puncture the container, the container must be placed inside a second container that:

     ▪ Is puncture-resistant

     ▪ Prevents leakage during handling, processing, storage, transport, or shipping

     ▪ Is properly labeled or color-coded.

Exemption:	When your facility handles all specimens using universal precautions or other equivalent infection control systems, you don't have to label/color-code specimens as long as the containers can be recognized as containing specimens.
	This exemption only applies while these specimens/containers remain within the facility. Proper labeling or color-coding is required when specimens/containers leave the facility.

Reference:

Requirements for appropriate labels and color-coding are found in WAC 296-823-14025.

     Helpful tool:

     Guidance on the handling and storage of criminal evidence

     This tool contains information about the handling and storage of criminal evidence. Criminal evidence contaminated with blood or OPIM is considered a specimen under the scope of this chapter. You can find a copy of this tool in the resource section of this chapter.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-09-110, § 296-823-14045, filed 4/22/03, effective 8/1/03.]