When is it necessary to use chilled specimen transport?

Using chilled specimen transport is particularly important for tests like blood gases to ensure accuracy because temperature can significantly affect the stability and integrity of certain blood components. Blood gases, such as arterial blood gases, are sensitive to temperature changes that can lead to altered pH levels, carbon dioxide, and oxygen tensions if the samples are not kept at the appropriate temperature. Chilling the specimen slows down metabolic processes that could otherwise change these values, ensuring that the laboratory results are reliable and reflective of the patient's actual condition at the time of collection.

In contrast, urine samples do not typically require chilling; they can be handled either at ambient temperature or refrigerated depending on the specific analysis being performed. Blood donor samples follow different protocols focusing on preservation of the blood and products, which does not usually involve chilling. Testing for glucose levels can also be conducted at room temperature if the samples are processed promptly. Therefore, the necessity of using chilled transport is specifically underscored for tests like blood gases to prevent any discrepancies in results due to environmental influences.