Modes of Transportation in SCT

All efforts must be made to have decentralised local arrangements for transporting the specimens to the TB detection centre (TDC). If a proper transport mechanism for collected specimen is in place, it spares the patients from travelling to the laboratory.

The sputum sample is packaged in triple layers in such a manner that it arrives at the destination in good condition and presents no hazard to the transporter.

Transporter/ personnel transporting the sample should be sensitized by the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) staff prior to engagement.

• Sensitisation would be provided on Symptoms of TB disease and its transmission, precautions to be taken to prevent exposure, hand hygiene requirements and spill management.

The different modes of sample transport include:

1. Post: Postal department services available pan-district can be engaged to transport sputum samples. 

2. Courier: Local logistics courier companies can also be identified and hired to transport samples.

3. Volunteers/ human carriers: Community volunteers/members of NGOs can be trained as human carriers to collect and transport samples.

District TB Centre or Medical Officer TB Control (MO-TC) should ensure feasibility and financial measures required for .such arrangements for sputum transport.

Systems can be established for transportation of various biological samples (not only TB) from referring centre/peripheral centre to laboratories in a hub and spoke model in a integrated manner. 

Resources

• Specimen Transportation - A How-to Guide. 
• Health and Safety Guidelines for Staff/ Workers involved in Sputum Transportation, CTD.

Assessment