The effects of drone transportation on blood component quality: A prospective randomised controlled laboratory study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background: The use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (known as drones) has increased over the last decade. However, their application in healthcare has not been fully examined. Previous regulations prevented drone flight beyond the visual line of sight.Methods: This prospective randomised controlled laboratory study aimed to determine whether the in vitro quality of packed red blood cells is maintained when transported by drone, beyond visual line of sight. Ten identical pairs of packed red blood cell units were randomly allocated to transport by drone or by ground vehicle (1:1 with allocation concealment).Units of red blood cells were transported 68 km between two hospitals in Northumbria, UK. Markers of blood component quality, were compared, at 8, 14, 28 and 35 days following blood unit manufacture. Findings: There was no statistical difference in percentage of haemolysis, concentration of potassium, total haemoglobin, glucose and lactate, haematocrit and mean cell volume was detected at any time point between 8 – 35 days post unit manufacture. The surface temperature of the packed red blood cell units did not deviate outside the recommended 2-10°C for transportation, regardless of the allocated transportation group. Temperature and journey time were comparable to ground transport.Interpretation: This demonstrates the feasibility and safety of flying blood cell components by drone between active hospital sites in the UK, beyond the visual line of sight. There were no significant differences in packed red cell quality between units transported by drone compared to ground transport, up to the unit expiry date.Funding: Apian limited.Declaration of Interest: JM has provided consultancy for Apian Ltd; CL and HJ are medical directors of Apian Ltd. Neither CL nor HJ were involved in the processing or analysis of the data. There were no other relationships or activities that may have influenced the submitted work.Ethical Approval: These units are donated from appropriately-consented donors and are compliant with statutory and regulatory obligations including the Human Tissue Act (2004) and UK Blood Transfusion Code of Practice.
Source: British Journal of Haematology
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19666
Language: English
Subfield: Biochemistry
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4401466299