The Indiana Department of Health Laboratory has partnered with STAT Courier to efficiently transport specimens and samples to the Indiana Department of Health Laboratory for testing. Launched on April 22, 2024, our new courier system serves approximately 100 strategically selected sites across the state each week. These sites were chosen based on historical specimen submission volumes and valuable input from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) staff.
With pickup operations tailored to each site—ranging from daily to weekly visits—specimens are guaranteed to arrive at the Indiana Department of Health Laboratory (IDOHL) the same day, before 10 p.m. EST. This innovative system not only enhances temperature compliance and significantly reduces transit turnaround times, ensuring quicker results for all Hoosiers, but also expands access to vital services for sites located far from Indianapolis. Learn more about the Indiana Courier System below!
Acceptable Specimen/Sample Types
Currently, the courier system is accepting the following specimen types:
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Biothreat
- Blood Lead
- Enterics
- Entomology (Mosquito Surveillance)
- Environmental Lead
- Mycobacteriology/Tuberculosis
- Rabies
- Reference Bacteriology
- Serology
- SSP (Approved Sites Only)
- Virology
- Wastewater Surveillance (Approved Sites Only)
The courier system DOES NOT accept the following specimen/testing types:
- Chemistry Testing
- Including: radiochemistry, food chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and metals chemistry
- Water Testing
- Including: Private well testing, testing available to the public for a fee (i.e., bacteria, nitrate, metals panels, fluoride and pesticides etc.), testing available to Local Health Departments (arsenic, lead and copper, gasoline, nitrate, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, VOCs, etc.)
- Food and Dairy Microbiology
Regional Courier Sites
Regional Courier Sites are specially selected and strategically located facilities that the courier service visits daily, enhancing specimen/sample collection and delivery across Indiana. These sites have committed to accepting specimens and samples from nearby facilities, with the capacity to store them overnight or over the weekend at either refrigerated or room temperature, and hand off packages to STAT Courier for delivery to IDOHL.
Each of Indiana's ten Public Health Preparedness Districts features at least one Regional Courier Site, as displayed in the map below. Since July 15, 2024, these sites accept specimens/samples from small-volume or occasional submitters- an ideal option for rural facilities with limited access to submission options or as a cost-saving measure.
If you are considering using a Regional Courier Site, please review the program guidance below:
- Regional Courier Sites can only store specimen/samples in refrigerated or ambient conditions. Any frozen specimens/samples must be prepackaged by the submitter as if they were shipping via FedEx, USPS, or UPS.
- To ensure proper handling, submitted specimens/samples must be entered into LimsNet (or the appropriate portal) by the individual who collected the specimen/sample or who is expecting the results.
- Regional Courier Sites reserve the right to deny any packages that are leaking or pose a safety risk to staff or the facility.
- For optimal safety and efficiency, we encourage the use of small form packaging, such as biohazard bags instead of cardboard boxes.
- To avoid miscommunications, please use the map below to find the appropriate contact information and drop off hours for the specific Regional Courier Site. Please contact the courier sites directly to confirm they can accept your drop-off before arriving.