Can Pneumatic Tube Systems in a Hospital Be Used for Transporting Blood Components?

On December 16, 1999 a member asked that the CBBS e-network share its experiences and recommendations regarding the use of a pneumatic tube system for the transporting of blood. The inquiring member wanted to know about the experiences of medical centers that are using a pneumatic tube system to deliver blood or blood components to surgery departments or floors within the hospital. The inquiring member is considering using a pneumatic tube system for a hospital that is very spread out, including the delivery of blood to some sites of surgery or transfusion that are almost a city block away. For those institutions already using a pneumatic tube system, what should be considered when validating the process? Is there a system to track products, such that if a product does not arrive at its intended destination within a period of time a search is put out to find it? Are there any other concerns, such as maintaining a proper temperature in the pneumatic tubes, etc.? Most importantly, do institutions like using a pneumatic tube system for transporting blood?

The following comments were submitted in response to this query:

1. One member commented that at her institution there was no current experience with a pneumatic system. However, in the past, the institution had a system that was shut down when specimens were lost in the system and later found on the roof.
   
   
2. A second member had a more encouraging comment. This individual commented that based on his experience with a pneumatic tube system for a multibuilding institution, pneumatic tube systems are great time-savers, highly reliable (99%+), but NOT infallible. Because these systems are not infallible, anyone looking to install a system should look at systems that have alarms for delayed delivery etc., and look for automatic or manual feedback to indicate delivery was effected. While not 100% reliable, they sure beat Nike power (messengers) for both time and reliability. It is critical to obtain feedback from other customers of any manufacturer that is being considered. One concern is inadvertent sending of products to the wrong nursing unit. The member suggests that the pneumatic tube system should come with a software system which can reduce the manual steps of using the system.

ADDENDA Aug. 3, 2006

3. A medical technologist from Wisconsin writes that they are building a new laboratory two blocks away from the hospital and are evaluating possible blood delivery methods. She asks if anyone has experience with 'tubing' products from a blood bank lab more than two blocks away. She specifically asks how emergency release for traumas and massive surgical transfusions are handled, how many tube runs are used, and what the backup transport plan is when the tube system fails.
   
   
4. The Editors believe that the following earlier discussions on this forum may also be germane to the general discussion of transporting blood products:

• Use of pneumatic tube system for transporting platelet components
• Strategies for STAT provision of blood for patients who bleed out in a cardiovascular OR and/or ICU
• Policies for Ensuring An Adequate Supply of O Rh Negative Blood in Emergencies
• Increased breakage rate of leukoreduced Red Blood Cells transported in a pneumatic tube system
• How do hospital Transfusion Services validate the integrity of blood products transported in a Pneumatic Tube System?
• What guidelines do hospital Transfusion Services use to validate blood products transported in a Pneumatic Tube System?
• How do large hospitals transport blood products to patient care areas for transfusion?
• Practical concerns regarding the location of a hospital blood bank away from the operating rooms
• What is an effective strategy to assure that a blood product dispensed via a pneumatic tube system is administered to the correct recipient?

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Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Senior Editor & Moderator

W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator

Elizabeth M. St. Lezin, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Associate Editor & Moderator