What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to evaluate the AirLab high-speed pneumatic tube system's effect on sample integrity and turnaround time compared to manual transport.

February 19, 2026

Evaluation of Sample Integrity and Turnaround Time Upon Implementation of a High-Speed Carrier-Free Pneumatic Tube System

Key Points

The aim is to evaluate the AirLab high-speed pneumatic tube system's effect on sample integrity and turnaround time compared to manual transport.
Collected blood samples from 42 participants.
Samples were transported using either PTS or manual methods.
Analyzed parameters including chemistry, hematology, and coagulation tests.
Assessed sample integrity using statistical analysis and total allowable error criteria.
Four parameters showed significant differences: glucose, potassium (K), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
PTS resulted in higher levels of glucose, K, and LD; MCV levels were lower in PTS transport.
Only LD exceeded the clinically significant total allowable error recommendations.
PTs reduced pre-analytical and total turnaround times by 12.12% to 22.82% and 7.32% to 8.98%, while analytical times remained unchanged.

Abstract

Background: Pneumatic tube systems (PTSs) have revolutionized sample transport efficiency, yet concerns about sample integrity remain unresolved. This study evaluated the AirLab system (PazKorea, Hanam-si, Korea), a novel high-speed carrier-free PTS, for its impact on sample integrity and turnaround time (TAT) under controlled pre-analytical conditions. Methods: Blood specimens were collected in duplicate from 42 participants (30 healthy volunteers and 12 outpatients with chronic alcohol use) and randomly assigned to PTS or manual transport. Multiple laboratory parameters were analyzed, including chemistry, hematology, coagulation and heavy metal tests. Sample integrity was assessed by comparing test results between transport methods using both statistical analysis and clinical significance criteria based on total allowable error (TAE). Pre-analytical, analytical and total TATs were compared between transport methods. Results: Among 20 measurands, four showed statistically significant differences: glucose, potassium (K), lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). PTS yielded higher results for glucose, K and LD (average percentage biases: 1.88%, 2.01% and 15.80%, respectively), while producing lower results for MCV (average percentage bias: −0.47%). Only LD showed clinically significant differences, as its average percentage bias exceeded its desirable TAE. PTS significantly reduced both pre-analytical and total TATs for all test types, with reductions ranging from 12.12% to 22.82% and 7.32% to 8.98%, respectively, whereas analytical TATs remained unchanged. Conclusions: The AirLab system effectively preserves sample integrity for most laboratory parameters while improving operational efficiency through TAT reduction. However, the clinically significant elevation in LD levels necessitates careful interpretation when employing this system in clinical laboratories.

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