Shipping Information

Shipping Kits

Athena Diagnostics provides all shipping materials and pays shipping charges for specimens sent to us. Our shipping containers include:

  • A prepaid airbill
  • Sample container
  • Shipping container
  • Profile selection guide (if applicable)
  • Dry ice label (if applicable)
  • A Test Requisition form

Unacceptable Specimens

To ensure Athena Diagnostics’ ability to conduct the test with accuracy and the highest quality, specimens may be considered unacceptable by Athena Diagnostics under the following circumstances:

  • The blood/muscle/csf sample arrives hemolyzed, or thawed if a frozen/refrigerated sample is required
  • The shipping box is damaged and the sample has been spilled or destroyed
  • The blood/muscle/csf sample is less than the minimum required volume/amount
  • The blood/muscle/csf sample is unlabeled

Incomplete Requisition Forms

An incomplete Requisition Form will result in delay of testing and result reporting. Please enclose a completed Requisition Form with the submission of specimen(s).

Instructions for Shipping

  1. Label each specimen tube with two forms of patient identification. These forms of identification must also appear on the requisition form.
  2. Complete the Requisition Form. Please be sure to fill in all fields of information, including the patient or responsible adult signature(s) and the physician’s signature. Check the test(s) ordered.
  3. Verify that the appropriate specimen requirements have been met (sample type, volume, collection tube type).
  4. Place container with specimen in shipping carton.
  5. Place completed Requisition Form on top of sample container. Ship via Athena Diagnostics overnight service.

Shipping carriers:

Federal Express Priority Overnight
1-800-463-3339
Recommended for all assays.

UPS
1-800-742-5877
Use only if Federal Express service is not available.

Shipping Address for All Specimens

Athena Diagnostics
200 Forest Street, 2nd Floor
Marlborough, MA 01752

Specimens should not be shipped on Saturdays or any day preceding a holiday. Federal Express and UPS do not deliver on the following holidays:

  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Day

Specimens can be shipped Monday through Friday. Please call before shipping a specimen on a Friday. Muscle specimens can be shipped Monday through Thursday only.

Athena accepts international specimens for testing. We request that they be accompanied by payment in US dollars. If pre-payment is not received, there will be a delay in result reporting. Canadian and overseas specimens require special courier assistance. Please call our Client Service Representatives for further information.

Additional Questions

For inquiries please call our Client Services Department at 1-800-394-4493, extension 2.

Athena Diagnostics, Inc.
200 Forest Street, 2nd Floor
Marlborough, MA 01752