As well as the whole of our services, transport of bone marrow – national, international, intercontinental – are 24/7, mission accomplished in the minimum time required by distances and travel means, no unnecessary stops.
Couriers have undergone a specific course, held by the T.M.O. Center in Careggi hospital, Florence, Italy.
In addition they are instructed on security and safety rules and procedures in airports and on board aircrafts: chances are that donors are in a foreign country, therefore B.M. needs to be picked-up abroad and transferred in the Italian hospital of the recipient.
They have also full knowledge of international operational IBMDR protocols for B.M. collection, transportation and transplant as well as the NMDP and WMDA ones.
For international mission we employ personnel with good knowledge of at least one foreign language.
Since transports are required with an average advance notice of 10 -15 days, close contacts are maintained with the concerned TMO, in order to exchange the most updated information. At least 7 days before the departure, we start the pre-operational phase, including into the communications the donor Collection Center and the IBMDR. Comms are via telephone, fax and e-mail.
In the pre-operational phase we:
- collect information on:
. type and quantity of product,
. specific documents,
. address and telephone number(s) of the collection Center,
. name and telephone no. of contact person,
. exact info on how to reach the collection Center;
- inform the collection Center, IBMDR and the recipient hospital on:
. travel plans (including backup flights, as per international protocols),
. ID number(s) of courier,
. ID number(s) of contingent substitute courier.
The operational moment, as per international protocols, is:
- arrival in the town of pick-up:
. on the day of collection in national territory,
. by the morning of the day before the collection in Europe,
. two days before the collection for overseas locations;
- communication of arrival in town to collection Center and TMO;
- final agreements on pick-up time and details;
- on the day of collection:
. arrival at Center a bit in advance on agreed time,
. check of ID and credentials,
. check of papers accompanying product (codes, type and quantity),
. reception and correct packaging of product,
. transport in accordance with travel plans or, in any case, ASAP
. delivery of the product to the requiring TMO
. completion of related documentation.
On the trip back, the courier is aware of all procedures to adapt travel plans to any possible change. He is in close contact, 24 hrs., with the operational center of Nucleo Operativo, that is able to organize all variation required.
Upon arrival at the airport of destination, a car is available, if necessary equipped with emergency devices (lights and tones), to ride as fast as possible the courier to the TMO.
We like to highlight that our services have been appreciated mainly for the “anticipation and backup system” that our structure applies in setting up the transfer. That is, on one side, the capability of carefully assuming in advance all important information in order to choose the appropriate procedure, routes and means of transportation to comply with the mission. On the other side, Nucleo Operativo monitors all phases and has ready possible alternate solutions to face changes, so to restore normality or to minimize the impact on foreseen time of delivery.
We offer an unique service, functional and qualified to satisfy all requirements of Bone Marrow transport.
Our procedures have successfully completed several transfers, national, international and intercontinental (United States, Canada, Middle East, China and Australia).
