A-221 Impact of Repeated Drone Transport on Blood Sample Integrity: A Focused Analysis

Background The increasing adoption of drones in medical logistics raises concerns about the potential cumulative effects of repeated transport on the quality of blood samples and the variability in laboratory results. This study investigates the stability of 35 analytes, including potassium, thrombocytes, international normalized ratio (INR), Quick value, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), over ten consecutive drone transport cycles, focusing on four blood types: serum, EDTA plasma, lithium-heparin plasma, and citrate plasma. Methods Blood samples of four different materials (serum, citrate, EDTA, Li-Hep) were subjected to ten drone transport cycles over a standard route, with each cycle lasting approximately 30 minutes. A total of 35 analytes were measured pre- and post-transport using standard laboratory methods. Key transport parameters such as vibration and temperature fluctuations were monitored. Pre- and post-transport analyte concentrations were assessed using spectrophotometric and hematological techniques. Statistical analyses, including Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman plots, were employed to evaluate variability, and paired t-tests determined significant changes in mean values. Results The majority of analytes exhibited stability across all blood types, with minimal variation in pre- and post-transport results. Potassium levels demonstrated a statistically significant increase in variability (Passing-Bablok slope: 1.07, r = 0.98) after repeated transport cycles, accompanied by a mean bias of +2.5%. Thrombocyte counts showed a similar trend, with Bland-Altman analysis revealing a proportional bias of +3.2% after the tenth cycle. The Quick value exhibited a significant increase from a mean pre-transport value of 91.05% to 107.12%, with a Passing-Bablok slope of 1.177 and a mean bias of +15.0%. In contrast, INR values decreased slightly from 0.94 to 0.90, with a Passing-Bablok slope of 1.000 and a mean bias of -0.04%. Additionally, the aPTT increased by 4.46 seconds on average, rising from 20.32 seconds pre-transport to 24.78 seconds post-transport, with a Passing-Bablok slope of 1.220 and a mean bias of +18.0%. Other analytes, such as bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, remained within clinically acceptable limits across all cycles, confirming the robustness of drone transport for most laboratory parameters. Conclusion Repeated drone transport does not compromise the integrity of the majority of blood analytes, supporting its viability for medical logistics. However, increased variability in potassium levels, thrombocyte counts, Quick values, and aPTT times, as well as the slight decrease in INR, highlight the need for cautious interpretation in clinical scenarios involving multiple transport cycles. This study underscores the importance of validating drone-based logistics for specific analytes to ensure reliable laboratory diagnostics.