Sample Collection and Laboratory Tests
Scope and Method of Sample Collection
Units providing sample collection services may collect the samples for the laboratory tests required for the health surveillance of employees in two different settings: a fixed medical examination facility and/or mobile occupational health vehicles. In this way, a sample can be gathered either at the fixed center or directly at the workplace using a mobile vehicle (Art.14/1).
The samples collected serve the test areas required by health surveillance. These test areas and typical sample types are summarized in the table below.
| Test Area | Purpose (Health Surveillance) | Typical Sample Type |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | Metabolic and organ function assessment | Blood, urine |
| Hematology | Assessment of blood cell parameters | Blood |
| Microbiology | Investigation of infectious agents | Stool, nasal/throat swab |
| Toxicology | Exposure and toxic substance assessment | Blood, urine |
Under the regulation, the sample types are listed as blood, urine, stool and nasal/throat swab (Art.14/1).
Basic Service Laboratory and Test Limits
A basic service laboratory may be established within the scope of the sample collection service (Art.14/2). However, there is a limit to the tests these laboratories may perform: tests that a basic service laboratory is not permitted to carry out are performed in medical laboratories licensed by the Ministry of Health (Art.14/3).
This distinction allows basic/simple-level tests to be performed on site, while directing advanced tests or those requiring a special license to authorized and licensed medical laboratories.
Transport, Analysis Window and Identification of Samples
In order to preserve the integrity of samples, the regulation sets out concrete rules for the transport and analysis stages (Art.14/4):
- Temperature monitoring: The temperature of samples is monitored and recorded.
- Cold chain: Samples requiring a cold chain are transported in suitable transport containers.
- Analysis window: Each sample is analyzed within 48 hours at the latest from the time it was collected.
- Identification: Samples are labeled and identified with information such as who collected the sample and when.
In addition, transport is carried out in accordance with the relevant regulation on the transport of infectious substances. Taken together, these rules aim to keep the sample traceable and secure from the moment it is collected until it is analyzed.