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 (2)
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.