Investigation of the effect of Ankara city Hospital pneumatic tube transport system on routine biochemistry, hematology and coagulation tests

Objective: Large and modern hospitals use pneumatic tube systems (PTS) to transport many samples, drugs and materials within the hospital. However, there are different opinions regarding the preservation of sample integrity during PTS transport. Each PTS system has its own design and every clinical laboratory should ensure the accuracy of this system. The aim of our study is to examine the effects of the PTS system on the frequently requested biochemistry, hemogram and coagulation tests in our hospital. Material-Method: Blood was collected from 50 volunteer participants into 3 biochemistry, 2 coagulation and 2 hemogram tubes. While one of the collected blood was transferred to the laboratory with PTS (PTS-immediately) and the other with the porter, third biochemistry tube was transported with PTS (after-PTS) after completed coagulation. The biochemistry, hemogram and coagulation tests analyzed in these paired samples were compared with Student's paired t test, correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: No significant differences were found in lipemia, hemolysis and icteric serum indices, which are indicators of sample integrity (p> 0.05). In the LDH, AST, direct bilirubin and glucose tests between the porter transport and PTS-immediately (p= 0.008; p= 0.01, p= 0.002 and p= 0,02 respectively); LDH, AST, albumin, HDL, glucose, calcium and phosphorus tests between the porter transport and PTS-after (p <0.001; p = 0.03, p = 0.08, p <0.001; p <0.001; p = 0.006 and p = 0.02), and LDH, total protein, HDL and glucose tests between PTS-immediately and after (p = 0.004; p = 0.01; p <0.001 and p<0.001) there were statistically significant differences. However, the statistical differences in these tests are not clinically significant. An parameters with a clinically significant difference was not detected in the hemogram and coagulation tests also. Conclusion: PTS used in our hospital can be used safely for these frequently requested parameters. Each hospital should definitely validate its own transport system. Key words: Pneumatic tube system; Sample integrity; Sample transportation; Validation study