Evaluation of a rail logistics transmission system for the transportation of blood components within a medical centre.

Abstract

Rail logistics transmission systems (RLTSs) are commonly used for the transportation of blood samples, pathological specimens and other medical materials in many hospitals, as they are rapid, secure, cost-effective and intelligent. However, few studies have evaluated blood component transportation from blood banks to the patient care areas of hospitals using RLTS. In this study, we evaluate the RLTS used for the transportation of blood components within a medical centre. The dispatch of blood components, including packed red blood cells (pRBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitate and platelet units, from a blood bank to critical care areas or general wards was done using RLTS. Parameters such as the delivery time, temperature, physical integrity and blood component quality were evaluated via analytical testing using specimens obtained before and after transportation by RLTS. The turnaround time and temperature of all tested blood units via RLTS transportation were able to meet the clinical demands of blood component delivery (median time: 323 s [118-668 s]; temperature variation: 4.5-8.9°C for pRBCs and FFP and 21.5-23.5°C for cryoprecipitate and platelet units). Furthermore, parameters of pRBC quality, including the haemolysis index and potassium and lactate dehydrogenase levels in plasma, were not significantly different before and after transportation through RLTS. Similarly, RLTS transportation affected neither the basic coagulation test results in FFP and cryoprecipitate specimens nor platelet aggregation and activation markers in apheresis platelet specimens. Hospital-wide delivery of blood components via RLTS seems to be safe, reliable and cost-effective and does not have any negative impact on blood quality. Therefore, the establishment of standard criteria, protocols and guidelines based on further studies is needed.