Evaluation of pneumatic-tube system for delivery of blood specimens.

Author(s): Steige H, Jones JD

Publication: Clin Chem, 1971, Vol. 17, Page 1160-4

PubMed ID: 5118154 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 type of PTS, transport distance, tube fill volume, transport of unclotted blood and patient diagnosis on levels of clinical chemistry analytes in serum, plasma, and whole blood. Round-trip PTS transport involved transport over 2846 m, through 6 switches, and 134 bends, at a maximum speed of 9.75 m/sec. The wooden inserts tended to obstruct the tube. Urea and glucose were measured in oxalate-fluoride whole blood, fibrinogen was measured in oxalated plasma, and all other analytes were measured in serum. Significance of changes was not determined.

   Summary of Findings:

   When whole blood was transported by PTS, serum levels of PO2, potassium, hemoglobin, and LDH levels were higher than in specimens that were not transported. When duplicate specimens were transported in wooden and vinyl inserts, potassium levels and hemoglobin levels were higher in specimens transported in wooden carriers than those transported in vinyl carriers, regardless of patient diagnosis. LDH and hemoglobin were also elevated in serum after PTS transport of unclotted blood, and the authors report similar findings after transport of heparinized blood. The increases in potassium, hemoglobin and LDH were greater when the tubes were only partially filled before PTS transport. When blood was transported one-way instead of round-trip, the increases in LDH and hemoglobin were smaller, and only half of the specimens had elevated potassium. Differences between transported and not-transported specimens in pH, sodium, phosphorus, chloride, calcium, partial pressure carbon dioxide, creatinine, uric acid, billirubin, total protein, fibrinogen and urea were within the analytical variability.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Serum
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal
   • Neoplastic - Lymphoma
   • Neoplastic - Leukemia
   • Other diagnoses

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Glycoprotein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Gas	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Within hospital transportation method	Not transported Pneumatic tube system
   Preaquisition	Diagnosis/ patient condition	Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia Polycythemia vera Malignant lymphoma Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Healthy
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Anticoagulant	Heparin None Oxalate
   Storage	Specimen transport duration/condition	Wood insert with sponge rubber on bottom Vinyl lined with sponge rubber One-way (1423 m) Round-trip (2846 m)
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Aliquot size/volume	Tube filled 30% Tube filled 50% Tube filled 70%
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Blood and blood products	Plasma Serum Whole blood

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