Abstract
Introduction:Today, the pneumatic tube transport system (PTS) is used frequently because of its advantages related to timing and speed. However, the impact of various types of PTS on blood components is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of PTS on the quality of routine blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, and certain blood coagulation tests.Materials and methods:Paired blood samples were obtained from each of 45 human volunteers and evaluated by blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation, and several coagulation tests, including prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Blood samples were divided into 2 groups: Samples from group 1 were transported to the laboratory via the PTS, and samples from group 2 were transported to the laboratory manually. Both groups were evaluated immediately by the tests listed above.Results:The blood sample test results from groups 1 and 2 were evaluated and compared. No statistically significant differences were observed (P = 0.069–0.977).Conclusion:The PTS yielded no observable effects on blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, or PT and aPTT test results. We concluded that the PTS can be used to transport blood samples and yield reliable results for blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, and several coagulation tests.
Highlights
Today, the pneumatic tube transport system (PTS) is used frequently because of its advantages related to timing and speed
The PTS yielded no observable effects on blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, or prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test results
We concluded that the PTS can be used to transport blood samples and yield reliable results for blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, and several coagulation tests
Summary
The pneumatic tube transport system (PTS) is used frequently because of its advantages related to timing and speed. The pneumatic tube system (PTS) has become a commonly used method of transport in hospitals; it is inexpensive and efficient. PTS reduces delivery delays of patient samples to the central laboratory. The laboratory turnaround time (TAT) represents a quality indicator of the efficiency of the laboratory process. TAT is defined as the period of time for blood draw, sample delivery, analysis, and results. Physicians and other clinical staff usually assess the quality of laboratory service by the period of elapsed time between analysis and test results, and they often assume faster is better. The delivery of the samples to the laboratory for analysis is the most time-consuming step of the process. The use of a rapid sample delivery system, such as PTS, will accelerate the laboratory TAT further. PTS represents a practical and efficient approach to sample distribution [1,2]
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