How can specimen stability be affected?

Specimen stability is critically influenced by the duration of time and temperature conditions. Various types of specimens have specific requirements that dictate how they should be stored and transported to maintain their integrity. For instance, some specimens may require refrigeration to slow down metabolic processes or prevent the growth of contaminants, while others might need to be kept at room temperature. If a specimen is not maintained under the recommended conditions for the appropriate length of time, it can lead to degradation, alteration of results, or even complete destruction of the sample. Therefore, managing the time and temperature effectively is paramount to ensure that the specimen remains viable for accurate testing and analysis.

While the appropriate specimen container, method of transport, and type of specimen are also important factors in ensuring overall specimen integrity, the specific impact of time and temperature conditions plays a more direct role in determining the stability and usefulness of the specimen.