Smartphone monitoring of pneumatic tube system-induced sample hemolysis.

BACKGROUND:Pneumatic tube systems (PTSs) are convenient methods of patient sample transport in medical centers, but excessive acceleration force and time/distance traveled in the PTS have been correlated with increased blood-sample hemolysis. We investigated the utility of smartphones for monitoring of PTS-related variables. METHODS:Smartphones were sent through the PTS from several hospital locations. Each smartphone used 2 apps as data-loggers to record force of acceleration vs time. To relate the smartphone data to sample integrity, blood samples were collected from 5 volunteers, and hemolysis of the samples was analyzed after they were transported by hand or via 1 of 2 PTS routes. Increased sample hemolysis as measured by plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LD) was also related to the amount of transport in the PTS. RESULTS:The smartphones showed higher duration of forceful acceleration during transport through 1 of the 2 PTS routes, and the increased duration correlated with significant increases in hemolysis (H)-index and plasma LD. In addition, plasma LD showed a positive linear relationship with number of shock forces experienced during transport through the PTS. CONCLUSIONS:Smartphones can monitor PTS variables that cause sample hemolysis. This provides an accessible method for investigating specific PTS routes in medical centers.