Diagnostic sample transport via pneumatic tube systems: data logger and their algorithms are sensitive to transport effects

TY - JOUR

T1 - Diagnostic sample transport via pneumatic tube systems: data logger and their algorithms are sensitive to transport effects

AU - Ninnemann, Jana

AU - Zylla, Stephanie

AU - Streichert, Thomas

AU - Otto, Benjamin

AU - Haenel, Mattis

AU - Nauck, Matthias

AU - Petersmann, Astrid

N1 - © 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.

PY - 2024/3/25

Y1 - 2024/3/25

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Many hospitals use pneumatic tube systems (PTS) for transport of diagnostic samples. Continuous monitoring of PTS and evaluation prior to clinical use is recommended. Data loggers with specifically developed algorithms have been suggested as an additional tool in PTS evaluation. We compared two different data loggers.METHODS: Transport types - courier, conventional (cPTS) and innovative PTS (iPTS) - were monitored using two data loggers (MSR145® logger, CiK Solutions GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany, and a prototype developed at the University Medicine Greifswald). Data loggers differ in algorithm, recording frequencies and limit of acceleration detection. Samples from apparently healthy volunteers were split among the transport types and results for 37 laboratory measurands were compared.RESULTS: For each logger specific arbitrary units were calculated. Area-under-the-curve (AUC)-values (MSR145®) were lowest for courier and highest for iPTS and increased with increasing recording frequencies. Stress (St)-values (prototype logger) were obtained in kmsu (1,000*mechanical stress unit) and were highest for iPTS as well. Statistical differences between laboratory measurement results of transport types were observed for three measurands sensitive for hemolysis.CONCLUSIONS: The statistical, but not clinical, differences in the results for hemolysis sensitive measurands may be regarded as an early sign of preanalytical impairment. Both data loggers record this important interval of beginning mechanical stress with a high resolution indicating their potential to facilitate early detection of preanalytical impairment. Further studies should identify suitable recording frequencies. Currently, evaluation and monitoring of diagnostic sample transport should not only rely on data loggers but also include diagnostic samples.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Many hospitals use pneumatic tube systems (PTS) for transport of diagnostic samples. Continuous monitoring of PTS and evaluation prior to clinical use is recommended. Data loggers with specifically developed algorithms have been suggested as an additional tool in PTS evaluation. We compared two different data loggers.METHODS: Transport types - courier, conventional (cPTS) and innovative PTS (iPTS) - were monitored using two data loggers (MSR145® logger, CiK Solutions GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany, and a prototype developed at the University Medicine Greifswald). Data loggers differ in algorithm, recording frequencies and limit of acceleration detection. Samples from apparently healthy volunteers were split among the transport types and results for 37 laboratory measurands were compared.RESULTS: For each logger specific arbitrary units were calculated. Area-under-the-curve (AUC)-values (MSR145®) were lowest for courier and highest for iPTS and increased with increasing recording frequencies. Stress (St)-values (prototype logger) were obtained in kmsu (1,000*mechanical stress unit) and were highest for iPTS as well. Statistical differences between laboratory measurement results of transport types were observed for three measurands sensitive for hemolysis.CONCLUSIONS: The statistical, but not clinical, differences in the results for hemolysis sensitive measurands may be regarded as an early sign of preanalytical impairment. Both data loggers record this important interval of beginning mechanical stress with a high resolution indicating their potential to facilitate early detection of preanalytical impairment. Further studies should identify suitable recording frequencies. Currently, evaluation and monitoring of diagnostic sample transport should not only rely on data loggers but also include diagnostic samples.

U2 - 10.1515/cclm-2023-0632

DO - 10.1515/cclm-2023-0632

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 37833063

VL - 62

SP - 657

EP - 663

JO - CLIN CHEM LAB MED

JF - CLIN CHEM LAB MED

SN - 1434-6621

IS - 4

ER -