Quality of red blood cell and platelet concentrates after transportation by a pneumatic tube system

Abstract

Background and objectivesPneumatic tube systems (PTSs) are used in some hospitals to transport patients’ specimens. We investigated the feasibility of applying PTS for blood products for transfusion in our hospital.Materials and methodsWe transported red blood cells (RBCs) and platelet concentrates (PCs) by the PTS and measured biomarkers such as red cell haemolysis and platelet dysfunction before and after one‐way transportation, in addition, after one‐way transportation for three consecutive times by PTS.ResultsUsing 25 RBCs, K, free Hb, Hb, LD, AST and pH were compared before and after transportation. There were no significant differences. Haemolysis rates ranging between 0·13% and 0·35% were acceptable under the guideline. Using 6 PCs, platelet concentration, aggregation and activation function were examined. There were no significant differences before and after transportation. Positive rates of CD62P ranging between 3·1% and 11·4% showed no remarkable changes after the transportation. After the third consecutive transportation, LD and AST were slightly increased. However, haemolysis rate changed from 0·16% to 0·21%, again stayed in guideline level. As for platelet products, platelet aggregation activities to collagen (approximately 80%) did not change significantly.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that PTS is feasible for transporting them since one‐ and three‐time transportation by PTS does not appear to influence the important quality of RBCs and PCs. In our hospital, we have applied PTS for the transportation of blood products without major troubles such as loss of products or transfusion‐related adverse events.