An apparatus for use in clinical environments, the apparatus comprises: a shielded receptacle, the shielded receptacle having an interior, a port that provides access to the interior from an exterior of the shielded receptacle, wherein the port includes a cover that is selectively movable between an open or closed configuration of the port, and at least one shield (704a, 704b) that shields the interior of the shielded receptacle and any wireless communications transponders in the interior of the at least one shielded receptacle from at least one of radio or microwave frequency energy emitted externally from the at least one shielded receptacle at least when the port is in a closed configuration; a first set of antennas (152a, 152b) provided on an inside surface of the cover and positioned within the interior of the shield receptable, the first set of antennas positioned and oriented to provide coverage of at least a portion of the interior of the at least one shielded receptacle and any wireless communications transponders in the interior of the at least one shielded receptacle, the first set of antennas being configured to transmit at least one radio or microwave signal; a second set of antennas positioned in the exterior environment and configured to detect the at least one radio or microwave signal from the first set of antennas; and a processor-based device for determining whether the at least one radio or microwave signal has been detected by the second set of antennas, and if so, causing an alert to be provided indicating that transponders contained within the interior of the shielded receptacle are not completely shielded. a shielded receptacle, the shielded receptacle having an interior, a port that provides access to the interior from an exterior of the shielded receptacle, wherein the port includes a cover that is selectively movable between an open or closed configuration of the port, and at least one shield (704a, 704b) that shields the interior of the shielded receptacle and any wireless communications transponders in the interior of the at least one shielded receptacle from at least one of radio or microwave frequency energy emitted externally from the at least one shielded receptacle at least when the port is in a closed configuration; a first set of antennas (152a, 152b) provided on an inside surface of the cover and positioned within the interior of the shield receptable, the first set of antennas positioned and oriented to provide coverage of at least a portion of the interior of the at least one shielded receptacle and any wireless communications transponders in the interior of the at least one shielded receptacle, the first set of antennas being configured to transmit at least one radio or microwave signal; a second set of antennas positioned in the exterior environment and configured to detect the at least one radio or microwave signal from the first set of antennas; and a processor-based device for determining whether the at least one radio or microwave signal has been detected by the second set of antennas, and if so, causing an alert to be provided indicating that transponders contained within the interior of the shielded receptacle are not completely shielded.