Powered refrigeration designed to hold refrigerated specimens at 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F), a temperature data logger on every run, and battery backup power for the cooler. No ice chests. No gel packs.
Every tier uses the same powered refrigeration, the same temperature data logger and the same chain-of-custody forms. What changes is response time and route structure.
Emergency specimen pickup, single-destination run. Call the STAT line and we confirm a pickup window on the call.
Scheduled same-day specimen pickup and delivery between SOC clinics, occupational health offices, and reference labs.
Recurring daily, weekly, or shift-based routes for clinics, occupational health offices, and TPA networks.
"Cold-chain transport" can describe two different methods: passive cooling with gel packs, or powered refrigeration. Here is what "active" means at Apex.
Today every run uses paper chain-of-custody forms and a temperature data logger. With the Apex platform rolling out, each run will also generate a six-event digital record, timestamped and hash-sealed. Below is what happens between pickup and delivery, shown with sample data.
Call the STAT line and we confirm a pickup window on the call. Operator assigned. Cooler pre-cooled to the target band.
Operator arrives. CCF executed with site rep. Specimen sealed and placed in the refrigerated unit.
Vehicle departs. The temperature data logger records the run. GPS waypoints planned with the platform.
Planned with the platform: SMS to the lab on approach. Receiving tech prepares intake station.
Proof-of-delivery signature captured. With the platform, GPS and UTC time will be sealed into a tamper-evident record.
Client receives confirmation with the chain-of-custody form and temperature log. A digital audit record is planned with the platform.
Two pieces of equipment carry the cold chain: a powered refrigerated unit and battery backup power for the cooler. Both run independently of vehicle ignition.
Active refrigeration designed to hold refrigerated specimens at 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F). A temperature data logger rides on every run. Room-temperature and frozen handling: ask us before booking.
Battery backup power for the cooler, independent of vehicle ignition. Traffic delays, basement pickups and multi-stop runs are covered by procedures designed to keep specimens in range.
The frameworks a hospital lab director, MRO or compliance auditor will ask about, and how Apex handles each.
BAA available before service. HIPAA-aware handling with PHI minimization on packaging.
Collections follow 49 CFR Part 40 procedures, with a chain-of-custody form on every regulated specimen.
Temperature data logger on every run. Refrigerated target range 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F).
Planned: handling procedures and training under the California bloodborne pathogens standard, covering PPE, spill kits and disposal.
Packaging and labeling for Category B biological substances follow IATA / DOT requirements.
Planned: federally regulated specimens routed to SAMHSA-certified labs.
Handled per the Apex Privacy Policy.
One-click PDF chain-of-custody export for any run, rolling out with the Apex platform.
Questions hospital procurement teams, lab directors and TPA partners are likely to ask. Direct answers.
Refrigerated runs target 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F). This range is standard for serum, plasma and most specimen types that need refrigerated transport. Room-temperature and frozen handling: ask us before booking.
A temperature data logger rides on every run. The logger record is available to procurement or audit personnel on request.
The data logger records any reading outside the 36 to 46°F target band, and that record travels with the chain-of-custody paperwork. Automatic SMS excursion alerts to dispatch and the receiving lab are planned with the Apex platform.
The cooler runs on battery backup power, independent of vehicle ignition, so the unit stays powered if the vehicle stalls or shuts off. Procedures are designed to keep specimens in range throughout the run.
Yes. A BAA is available before service, and Apex signs one before any engagement that involves PHI. Apex will not begin recurring service for any covered entity (hospital, clinic, occupational health or healthcare group) without an executed BAA. STAT requests involving PHI also require an executed BAA first.
Today, each run uses paper chain-of-custody forms plus the temperature data logger record. A signed digital PDF for each run is rolling out with the Apex platform (Platform build phase). It is planned to include UTC timestamps, GPS waypoints, the temperature log, operator identity, the proof-of-delivery signature and a hash that makes the record tamper-evident.
Call the STAT line and we confirm a pickup window on the call. Scheduled service by appointment. Call to confirm a window. After-hours and weekend STAT by arrangement. Apex serves South Orange County, with the rest of Orange County by arrangement.
Call directly for STAT pickup. For scheduled service, same-day routes or BAA execution, send a request or call the 888 line. Scheduled service by appointment. Call to confirm a window. After-hours and weekend STAT by arrangement.