Analytes that may be affected by hemolysis caused by excessive forces in a pneumatic tube system:
(1) serum LDH
(2) serum potassium
(3) hemolysis index of whole blood
Analysis consists of testing 2 simultaneously drawn samples, one hand carried and one transported by the pneumatic tube system. Samples drawn from men may be more sensitive to hemolysis.
The forces imparted in the pneumatic tube system can vary during the day and by route. It is important to test the system under various load conditions.
Number of specimens needed depends on:
(1) number of routes
(2) number of specimens per route
(3) number of times during a day
(4) number of days
(5) times 2 (for paired samples, one sent by hand and by tube)
The authors used a three-axis accelerometer with data logger to determine the gravity (g) forces during the pneumatic tube transport. The risk of hemolysis increases as the g forces increase, especially over 10 g. The changes in analytic values vs g forces can give insights into how to manage the pneumatic tube system.
Accelerometer and data logger used: PCE-VD3 (PCE Instruments)
Validation is especially important if the pneumatic tube system is used to transport blood.
