A-222 Evaluating Hemolytic, Lipemic, and Icteric Index Stability in Drone-Transported Blood Samples: Implications for Modern Medical Logistics

Abstract Background Maintaining the integrity of blood samples during transport is essential for accurate laboratory diagnostics. Hemolytic, lipemic, and icteric (HIL) indices are critical preanalytical markers that detect hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus, which can interfere with diagnostic results. With the growing interest in drones as a method of medical transport, particularly for remote or underserved areas, it is crucial to evaluate their impact on the stability of HIL indices. This study investigates whether blood samples transported by drones maintain their integrity, focusing on four common sample types: serum, EDTA whole blood, lithium-heparin plasma, and citrate plasma. Methods A total of 25 samples for each of the four blood types were collected and transported by a custom-built medical drone. The drone covered a 25 km route in 30 minutes at a cruising speed of 100 km/h and an altitude of 100 meters. Samples were placed in secure containers designed to minimize vibration and temperature fluctuations. Environmental conditions were monitored using data loggers and accelerometers. Hemolytic, lipemic, and icteric indices were measured spectrophotometrically before and after transport using standard absorbance techniques. Paired t-tests were performed to assess statistical significance, with a threshold of p < 0.05. Results The study found no significant changes in the HIL indices for any sample type after drone transport. Serum samples exhibited minimal variations, with the hemolytic index showing a mean change of -0.15 (p = 0.19) and the lipemic index a decrease of -0.20 (p = 0.38). EDTA whole blood demonstrated similarly stable results, with the hemolytic index showing a delta of -0.15 (p = 0.42) and the lipemic index increasing by +0.25 (p = 0.23). Lithium-heparin plasma displayed absolute stability in the hemolytic index (0.00, p = 1.00) and minor, non-significant changes in the icteric and lipemic indices (+0.05, p = 0.79). Citrate plasma results reflected comparable stability, with all p-values exceeding 0.19. Across all sample types, the variations in mean values were statistically and clinically insignificant, confirming the stability of preanalytical quality during drone transport. Conclusion This study demonstrates that blood samples transported via drone maintain stable hemolytic, lipemic, and icteric indices, supporting the reliability of this method in medical logistics. Drones offer significant advantages, including bypassing traffic, reducing delays, and enabling transport in remote or underserved areas. Additionally, they present a sustainable alternative to traditional transportation methods. By ensuring the integrity of transported blood samples, this research supports the integration of drones into healthcare systems as an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution. Further exploration of drone scalability and its effects on additional diagnostic parameters is warranted to expand its application in modern laboratory medicine.