A computer directed pneumatic tube system: its effects on specimens.

Author(s): Pragay DA, Fan P, Brinkley S, Chilcote ME

Publication: Clin Biochem, 1980, Vol. 13, Page 259-61

PubMed ID: 7214692 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of PTS transport on 3 clinical chemistry and 3 gas analytes in blood specimens. Specimens were placed in a ziplock bag and towel wrapped before transport via a dedicated PTS or placed in a plastic bag inside a carrier with a foam insert before transport via a general PTS.

   Summary of Findings:

   LD was elevated in blood specimens from healthy individuals after being transported by dedicated or general PTS compared to specimens that were hand-delivered (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). The authors report the increase in LD after PTS transport was due to small increases in LD fractions 1, 2 and 3. LD was also elevated after PTS transport in patients with pulmonary diseases (p<0.001), cardiac problems (p<0.001) and gastrointestinal diseases (p<0.05), but not in patients with neoplastic diseases. The authors report that sending clotted versus unclotted blood through the PTS did not significantly affect any analyte. PTS transport did not affect blood potassium, partial pressure carbon dioxide (PCO2), partial pressure oxygen (PO2), pH, or acid phosphatase.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Cardiovascular Disease
   • Neoplastic
   • Normal
   • Other diagnoses

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Electrolyte/Metal	Flame emission photometry
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Gas	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	pH

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Within hospital transportation method	Hand-delivered Pneumatic tube system
   Storage	Specimen transport duration/condition	Clotted Not clotted In ziplock bag and wrapped in a towel In a ziplock bag in a carrier with a foam insert
   Preaquisition	Diagnosis/ patient condition	Pulmonary diseases Cardiac problems Gastrointestinal diseases Neoplastic diseases Normal

   View more

2. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of PTS transport on urinary casts.

   Summary of Findings:

   The authors report that PTS transport did not affect urinary casts compared to urine specimens that were hand-delivered.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Urine

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Morphology	Light microscopy

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Within hospital transportation method	Hand-delivered Pneumatic tube system

   View more