title: The effects of transport by pneumatic tube system on blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation and coagulation tests.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Today, the pneumatic tube transport system (PTS) is used frequently because of its advantages related to timing and speed. However, the impact of various types of PTS on blood components is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of PTS on the quality of routine blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, and certain blood coagulation tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired blood samples were obtained from each of 45 human volunteers and evaluated by blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation, and several coagulation tests, including prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Blood samples were divided into 2 groups: Samples from group 1 were transported to the laboratory via the PTS, and samples from group 2 were transported to the laboratory manually. Both groups were evaluated immediately by the tests listed above.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The blood sample test results from groups 1 and 2 were evaluated and compared. Nostatistically significant differences were observed (P = 0.069-0.977).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PTS yielded no observable effects on blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, or PT and aPTT test results. We concluded that the PTS can be used to transport blood samples and yield reliable results for blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation, and several coagulation tests.
authors.affiliation: Kütahya Evliya Celebi Training and Research Hospital of Faculty of Medicine of Dumlupinar University, Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Kütahya,Turkey. dremelk@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fatma Emel
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yöntem
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yücel
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cilo
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Genç
authors.forename: Ayfer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meral
mesh_terms: D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling
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