Pneumatic Tube Transport System Research Articles

Investigation of the effects of pneumatic tube transport system on routine biochemistry, hematology, and coagulation tests in Ankara City Hospital.

Academics are far from a consensus regarding the effects of pneumatic tube system (PTS) delivery on sample integrity and laboratory test results. As for the reasons for conflicting opinions, each PTS is uniquely designed, sample tubes and patient characteristics differ among studies. This study aims to validate the PTS utilized in Ankara City Hospital for routine chemistry, coagulation, and hematology tests by comparing samples delivered via PTS and porter. The study comprises 50 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were drawn into three biochemistry, two coagulation, and two hemogram tubes from each participant. Each of the duplicate samples was transferred to the emergency laboratory via Swiss log PTS (aka PTS-immediately) or by a porter. The last of the biochemistry tubes were delivered via the PTS, upon completion of coagulation of the blood (aka PTS-after). The results of the analysis in these groups were compared with multiple statistical analyses. The study did not reveal any correlation between the PTS and serum hemolysis index. There were statistically significant differences in several biochemistry tests. However, none of them reached the clinical significance threshold. Basophil and large unidentified cell (LUC) tests had poor correlations (r=0.47 and r=0.60; respectively) and reached clinical significance threshold (the average percentages of bias, 10.2%, and 15.4%, respectively). The remainder of the hematology and coagulation parameters did not reach clinical significance level either. The modern PTS validated in this study is safe for sample transportation for routine chemistry, coagulation, and hematology tests frequently requested in healthy individuals except for basophil and LUC.

The effects of transport by pneumatic tube system on urine analysis

The pneumatic tube transport system (PTS) is used frequently for the transport of samples in hospitals. Effects of PTS on urine components are unknown. In our study, we aim to examine the influence of PTS on the quality of routine urine microscopic parameters. Urine samples were divided into two groups: group 1 were transported to the laboratory manually and group 2 were transported to the laboratory via the PTS. Each of 187 urine samples was studied with iQ200 automated urine devices for erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, crystal, cast and yeast cells. No statistically significant differences were detected between group 1 and group 2 for urine parameters. For erythrocytes, leukocytes, and epithelial cells, the gamma was 0.982, 0.959, and 1.0, respectively. For crystal, cast and yeast cells, the kappa values were 0.952, 0.866, and 1.0, respectively. PTS has no effect on erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, crystal, cast, and yeast cells in urine analysis. We concluded that PTS can be used in the transport of urine samples.

Do pneumatic tube transport systems transmit potential pathogens? A hygienic risk assessment in a university hospital

Prompted by an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a medical facility, this study examined a pneumatic tube transport system (PTS) as a potential transmission channel. Samples from the receiving station and entry racks were gathered via smear technique. Sponges used for PTS decontamination were soaked with 0.89% NaCl and transported through the channel. Micro-organisms were recovered from the tubes and cleaning sponges using a wash-away technique. Air sampling was performed at the receiving station in order to detect any airborne contamination. Tubes were artificially inoculated with Escherichia coli K12 NCTC 10538 and Staphylococcus epidermidis DSM 20044 and sent through the PTS to investigate channel contamination. No pathogens were detected in effluent air from the PTS or in tubes during routine operation. Entry racks for the test tubes were contaminated with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), aerobic bacilli, moulds and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium. E.coli proved to be unsuitable for detecting bacterial transmission by the PTS due to low persistence, but S.epidermidis was more resilient. After sending contaminated test tubes through the PTS, levels of S.epidermidis only decreased marginally. Subsequently, sponges soaked with disinfectant solution were put through the system and these eliminated S.epidermidis completely from the first attempt. Routine hygienic maintenance of the PTS makes pathogen transmission highly unlikely, although entry racks should be disinfected regularly. Any involvement of the PTS in the VRE outbreak at the study institution was unlikely.

Pneumatic tube system for transport of laboratory samples: preanalytical aspects

A considerable proportion of laboratory errors occurs in the preanalytical phase. The aims of the authors were to study preanalytical errors in routine and emergency laboratory diagnostics in a regional clinical laboratory and evaluate the effect of the pneumatic tube system on turnaround time and laboratory results. The ratio of preanalytical errors and reasons of test rejection were analysed. In addition, the effects of pneumatic tube and manual transport on the occurrence of hemolysis and platelet activation were compared. Using the pneumatic tube transport system, preanalytical error was below 1%. The main causes of test rejection were haemolysis in case of serum samples, and clot formation and citrate excess in anticoagulated samples. The pneumatic tube transport resulted in significantly faster sample transport, more equalized sample arrival and processing, hence the turnaround time became shorter both for routine and emergency tests. Autovalidation and proper control of preanalytical errors are essential for rapid and reliable laboratory service supported by the pneumatic tube system for sample transport.

The effects of pneumatic tube transport on fresh and stored platelets in additive solution.

Limited scientific work has been conducted on potential in vitro effects of transport on pneumatic tube systems on blood components, in particular platelets. To evaluate the possible effects of the Swisslog TranspoNet system on the cellular, metabolic, phenotypic and secreting properties of fresh and stored platelets, we set up a four-arm paired study comparing transported and non-transported platelets. Platelets were aliquoted, prepared with the OrbiSac system and suspended in 70% SSP+ (n=8). All in vitro parameters were monitored over a 7-day storage period. Throughout storage, no differences were observed in glucose consumption, lactate production, pH, pCO2, ATP, hypotonic shock response reactivity, CD62P, PAC-1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 or CD42b. The release of sCD40L increased (p<0.01) in all units but without any significant differences between groups. The storage stability of all platelets conveyed by the Swisslog TranspoNet system was not impaired throughout 7 days of storage. The Swisslog TranspoNet system does not, therefore, seem to be a risk for increased metabolic activity, activation or release reactions from the platelets. This lack of effect of the pneumatic tube transport system did not seem to be affected by the age of the platelets or repeated transport.

The effects of transport by pneumatic tube system on blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation and coagulation tests

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.

Pseudohyperkalemia from a Pneumatic Tube Transport System: Case Report and Literature Review

Objective To report a case of pseudohyperkalemia due to a pneumatic tube transport system. Case Summary A 75-year-old male presented to the emergency medicine department with chest pain and intermittent vision loss over the previous 2 days. Laboratory studies revealed a potassium value of 9.6 mEq/L and a white blood cell (WBC) count of 262 × 109/L. An electrocardiogram did not reveal changes consistent with hyperkalemia. Emergent treatment for the hyperkalemia was instituted. Repeat plasma potassium values obtained after treatment for the hyperkalemia remained significantly elevated. It was eventually recognized that the hyperkalemia was due to the combination of undiagnosed leukemia causing a significantly elevated WBC count and transport of the patient's specimen to the laboratory via a pneumatic tube transport system. Manual transport of the specimen to the laboratory repeatedly revealed normal or hypokalemic values. Discussion Hyperkalemia is a potentially fatal electrolyte abnormality that must be differentiated from pseudohyperkalemia. Pseudohyperkalemia is defined as a spurious elevation of potassium levels usually due to mechanical trauma during venipuncture resulting in hemolysis and release of potassium from the cellular elements of blood. Pneumatic tube transport systems should be listed in the scientific literature as another potential cause of pseudohyperkalemia, especially in patients with high WBC and/or platelet counts. Conclusion Pharmacists and other health care providers should be aware of pneumatic tube transport systems potentially causing pseudohyperkalemia, because regular treatments for hyperkalemia for this problem may cause patient harm.

Stability of Packed Red Blood Cell Units during Mechanical Transport Using a Modern Pneumatic Tube System

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the influence of a mechanical transport in a modern pneumatic tube system on the quality of packed red blood cell (RBC) units intended for transfusion. Materials and Methods: At days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 or 35, 12 units of packed RBCs (freshly prepared, not older than 9 days) were transported in a test pneumatic tube transport system under conditions which were set as close as possible to reality, containing curves, and a partially subterranean course. A second set of 12 units of packed RBCs which were treated identically but for the transport were used as reference. For evaluation of product quality, concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb; spectrophotometric method according to Kahn), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; optimized method, 25 °C, according to the German Society of Clinical Chemistry), and K⁺ (direct potentiometry) in aliquots of the plasma supernatant obtained after centrifugation were determined. Results: In the plasma of the RBCs subjected to transport, mean elevations in the concentrations of Hb from 200 to 1,160 mg/l, of LDH from 154 to 327 U/l, and of K⁺ from 12 to 62 mmol/l were observed. In the plasma of the reference RBC units, the respective values increased from 179 to 974 mg/l (Hb), from 121 to 348 U/l (LDH), and from 11 to 63 mmol/l (K⁺). Over a period of 7 days, the mean increases (± SD) in the concentrations of Hb, LDH, and K⁺ in the plasma of the transported products were 163 ± 111 mg/l, 33 ± 8 U/l and 10 ± 3 mmol/l, respectively. In the plasma of the reference RBC units these increases amounted to 124 ± 142 mg/l, 43 ± 43 U/l or 10 ± 4 mmol/l. No significant differences were found between transported RBC units and those which had not been transported. Additionally, no significant effects on these hemolysis parameters could be observed when simulating up to 35 loading and unloading processes of the plastic bags filled with the packed RBCs into pneumatic tube containers of 105 mm diameter within 35 days. Conclusions: An increased risk of a loss of quality as a result of the mechanical transport of packed RBC units in a modern pneumatic tube system could not be verified.

Robotics-an efficient tool for laboratory automation

As part of a major upgrading of the Dyckerhoff AG, Amoneburg cement plant, Germany, a fully automated quality control and quality assurance system has been installed. The laboratory automation system is the robotics-based QCX/Robolab system. At the production laboratory, samples from nine automatic sampling points are brought by a pneumatic tube transport system to the industrial robot and distributed to sample preparation and analytical equipment. The robot-controlled analysis activity comprises X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution, and color measurement. The results are used for automatic process control applications. A number of manually operated analytical devices are connected to the system, allowing automatic analysis-data collection for activities like quality test of incoming and outgoing products, environmental protection, etc. Via a network, all analytical and associated production data from the production control system are automatically transferred to the central plant data management system.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Control Concepts for Pneumatic-Tube Vehicles

The pneumatic-tube transport system, its operation, and its conceptual development as a high-speed-ground-transportation alternative are discussed briefly. Schemata for control of passive and nonpassive tube vehicles are proposed. System simulations employing a Fanno-flow model and each of the control schemata are outlined. Results contrasting controlled and uncontrolled system operation are presented as plots of the vehicle’s velocity and acceleration versus the vehicle’s position in the tube. Results evidence the infeasibility of existing, passive vehicle concepts.

EFFECT OF PNEUMATIC TUBE TRANSPORT SYSTEM ON THE VALIDITY OF DETERMINATIONS IN BLOOD CHEMISTRY.

EFFECT OF PNEUMATIC TUBE TRANSPORT SYSTEM ON THE VALIDITY OF DETERMINATIONS IN BLOOD CHEMISTRY.