1. Specimen must reach the lab. ideally within 45 mins.

2. During transport agitation must be avoided.

3. prevent direct exposure of the specimen to light especially when planning to measure bilirubin.

4. use dark bottles or cover the specimen receptacle with aluminum foil.

5. transport it in ice especially for unstable substances (ammonia, acid phosphatase, blood gases, catecholamines, plasma renin activity).