Nick Palmer
Founder & Lead Researcher at RouteStat
Nick built this directory to help lab managers and hospital procurement teams find credentialed specimen couriers without relying on word-of-mouth — a gap he discovered after a reference lab lost a critical oncology biopsy due to an uncertified transport vendor with no documented chain of custody.
Expertise
Published Articles
General (3)
Specimen Transport in Winter Weather: Keeping Samples Viable
Winter can freeze refrigerated samples. Get the packing and backup-route questions to ask your medical specimen courier before the first freeze hits.
Are Cheap Medical Specimen Couriers Worth It? The Real Cost of Cutting Corners
A lab coordinator I know lost a $10,000 biologic last year. The courier was $8 cheaper per pickup.
Medical Specimen Courier Costs by State: Where You'll Pay More (And Less)
Medical specimen courier rates vary 30–60% by state. Metro labs pay $160+ for STAT runs; Midwest networks often pay half. Find your market's rate.
Guides (3)
The Complete Guide to Medical Specimen Couriers
STAT and chain-of-custody failures cost patient diagnoses — here's how to vet a medical specimen courier for HIPAA, DOT, and temperature compliance before…
How Much Does a Medical Specimen Courier Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide)
Medical specimen courier costs $20–$56 per standard local pickup — but hidden fuel and STAT surcharges can triple your bill. See what labs and hospitals…
How to Choose a Medical Specimen Courier: What Nobody Tells You
Choosing a medical specimen courier on price creates a slow bleed of invalid results and costly recollections. The vetting questions that actually matter.
Hiring (2)
15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Medical Specimen Courier
15 wrong questions cost one lab a week of oncology samples. Use these 15 questions to vet any medical specimen courier before signing — and avoid costly…
7 Red Flags When Hiring a Medical Specimen Courier (And How to Avoid Them)
7 red flags every lab should know before hiring a medical specimen courier — from shady contracts to chain-of-custody gaps that trigger $69K HIPAA fines.