I'll be having my annual check-up with my uro later this month, and as part of it we'll see what my PSA is this time. (So far so good over the past several years!)
But to do so, I'll first need to go to the local Quest Diagnostics clinic here in Gainesville and give a blood specimen for testing.
So they'll draw the blood and test it right then and there, right?
No! After drawing the blood they'll maintain it in a small bottle, labeled with my name and other vitals, and then have it transported later in the afternoon, along with the other specimens they draw that day, down to the QD testing lab in Tampa, where the actual testing is done.
So my blood has to travel the 130 miles from Gainesville to Tampa before it is actually tested for PSA level in a laboratory.
While that may seem like a simple matter, think of all the steps that need to be taken and done right to insure that the specimen arrives at the Tampa lab in a timely manner and in good enough shape to be tested, and that no contamination of it has occurred, and that the result obtained from testing it will be valid.
That's where the medical courier, or specimen transporter, comes in.
It will be his or her responsibility to see that no mishaps such as these occur when transporting specimens, usually by vehicle from city to city:
specimen packets become broken, leaking contents
specimen packets become overheated, ruining contents
delivery is not made within specimen viability time limits
specimens are simply lost
delivery vehicle en route is in an accident, resulting in any of the above problems
It's easy to see why timely and proper handling of transported specimens is essential. Delivered specimens that have been damaged or compromised in some way, when tested, may give completely erroneous results, causing confusion and even alarm when provided by the lab back to doctors and patients.
about
medical couriers, from a website:
"In 2024, several new regulations have been introduced for medical couriers. Key changes include more stringent requirements for handling and transporting medical lab specimens. This involves enhanced documentation processes and stricter adherence to HIPAA and OSHA regulations. Medical couriers are now required to undergo more comprehensive background checks, including checks for past compliance with safety protocols. Regulators believe these changes will ensure higher levels of safety and reliability in medical deliveries." Also, some other information:
"How to Become a Medical Courier in 2024" :
https://www.dropoff.com/blog/how-to-become-a-medical-courier/Highlights:
"Courier jobs rose 26% just in the last year. Not only is there a high demand for these positions, but pay rates continue to rise in the wake of COVID-19."
"Medical couriers deliver medical documents, lab specimens, medications, test results, medical supplies, and other records across the country every single day."
"There is no specific educational background required to become a medical courier. However, many medical couriers have some experience in the medical or medicine industry."
"While medical couriers are paid per delivery, the average medical courier earns $30,000-$45,000 per year ... The amount you earn as a medical courier will depend on the number of deliveries you make and the distance you travel for each delivery."
"The first step to becoming a medical courier is to find a reputable courier company to work for. Once you have found a company, you will need to complete their training program and pass any required examinations."And from another site (boldface mine) :
The job of medical courier involves transporting medical supplies, specimens, and documents between hospitals, clinics, and labs. It’s a role that requires a lot of responsibility and attention to detail. Not only blood but organs for transplant may be transported, and in those cases successful delivery may literally be a matter of life or death. Some examples of independently operating medical courier companies, the ones medical couriers would work for:
https://www.medicalcouriers.com/https://www.lablogistics.com/#:~:text=the%20most%20reliable%20courier%20service%20for%20medical%20laboratorieshttp://www.wegocouriers.com/Some of the equipment used by medical couriers:
Medical transport specimen bags:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=specimen+transport+bag&adgrpid=1334807683644548&hvadid=83425720824421&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=73351&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83425833004249%3aloc-190&hydadcr=25670_13493119&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_5w74frlkzw_e Medical transport cooler boxes:
https://www.bing.com/shop?q=medical+specimen+transport+coolers&form=shoppa&originiguid=74585c44076e49cd895db11292d2332aOther "tools of this trade" :
https://www.bing.com/shop?q=medical+specimen+transport+devices&qs=n&form=shopsb&sp=-1&lq=0&pq=medical+specimen+transport+devices&sc=0-34&sk=&cvid=04ded1699dd64a6f84da42f97be41c92&ghsh=0&ghacc=0&ghpl=Short video (Youtube, 4:22) of some actual couriers describing the job and what they like about
it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr8gmu8skswSo while in the eyes of many it is not a glamorous job in the testing of specimens corner of the medical world, it is still an essential one, and medical couriers deserve a tip of the hat for what they do.
Perhaps someday in an ideal future medical world, lab techs will have a specimen analyzer on a table right next to the chair in which the blood contributor is seated, and as soon as the specimen is drawn, it is routed directly into the analyzer, and processed and reported on in seconds.
When that day comes, the medical courier we know him will possibly be out of a job, but until then, he deserves appreciation for the part he plays in the medical testing and delivery process.