Evaluation of a soft-handling computerized pneumatic tube specimen delivery system. Effects on analytical results and turnaround time.

A computerized pneumatic tube specimen delivery system with system-wide air cushion soft handling features was evaluated. There were no significant differences in values (largely normal) for components of a standard chemical profile or complete blood count in specimens delivered from the outpatient center or neonatal intensive care unit by pneumatic tube compared to couriers. The pneumatic tube system also did not affect values for pO2, pCO2, and pH over a wide range (pO2, 25 to 438 mmHg) in specimens sent from the operating room during cardiac surgery. The pneumatic tube system decreased the median turnaround time for potassium and hemoglobin results on specimens from the emergency department by 25%. The system evaluated is a rapid, efficient mechanism for sending specimens to the clinical laboratory that produces no significant effects on analytical results and has the ability to decrease turnaround time.