Optimizing Specimen Transport Systems in Laboratory Medicine: A Case Study of a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

Efficient specimen transport is essential for laboratory medicine in tertiary hospitals.Nevertheless, there is no universal model for specimen transport systems; selecting the right one is a complex challenge.This study evaluated major transport systems and developed improvement strategies.The performance of pneumatic tube systems (PTS), auto-track, and dumbwaiters was assessed using the transport time, cost, and success rate.A survey of 20 general hospitals was conducted, and a case study was performed in a renovated tertiary hospital.The survey showed that most hospitals use hybrid transport models, and a clear association was found between the larger hospital scale and increased system complexity.In-depth case analysis showed that a strategically integrated hybrid system combining the speed of a single PTS with the stability of a conveyor system achieved exceptional results.This configuration reduced the average transport time for outpatient specimens to under five minutes while maintaining a greater than 99.0% success rate.The research confirms that the selection and integration of a specimen transport system must be tailored to the specific infrastructure, testing volume, and clinical workflow of each hospital.This paper offers practical, evidence-based insights to guide healthcare administrators and planners in designing optimized, reliable, and efficient specimen transport solutions.