UK healthcare logistics company Apian’s latest trials into the feasibility of deploying drone technology for the delivery of blood samples between hospitals seem to be bearing positive fruits.

In their most recent trials, the start-up and its partners – who include drone partners and researchers from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) – set the drones against conventional road transport; in a bid to find out whether using drones to deliver components of blood delivered can compromise the product’s quality.

Reports from the UK narrate that identical blood stocks of red blood cell components were loaded at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Wansbeck Hospital and made a round trip through both road and the lower skies to Alnwick Infirmary.

Overall, ten blood packs were sent on ten journeys – five by land and five through the air.

Needless to say, the drone flew beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot, and took 61 minutes to travel the distance of 68 kilometres over Northumbrian coastline to the infirmary.

For the ground vehicle, the journey was 74.6 kilometres long and took 68 minutes.

You have to assume that the road between Wansbeck Hospital and Alnwick Infirmary is in really good condition; and traffic must have been light on the day. Because in Africa, where medical delivery by drone has proved so popular, the roads are either non-existent or so bad that it usually takes ground vehicle hours or days to get to their destination.

But we digress.

For the purposes of the research, the drone route was not the most direct available; which means in reality the distances would be shorter with quicker travel times.

The drone route was carefully planned out with the help of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Each pack was then analysed to assess the quality of the blood and whether it would still be viable for clinical use. Researchers examined the concentration of potassium and the percentage of bloods cells which had been destroyed.

They found there were no significant differences in the biochemical or haematological profiles of the blood that was flown or driven.

NHSBT said the results showed that drone delivery did not influence the blood’s quality or longevity and therefore could be used as a safe mode of transport.

“This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of flying blood components by drone between hospitals in the United Kingdom,” the researchers from NHSBT and medical logistics company Apian wrote in the British Journal of Haematology.

Dr Gail Miflin, chief medical officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re excited to be a part of this joint study with Apian, by supplying and testing the blood used, to see if blood would maintain its suitability for transfusion when flown further than ever before via drone.

“The results of this first trial are very promising, showing no compromise to the safety of the blood. We look forward to seeing the outcomes from the next round of the study.

“Technology is advancing rapidly and we are keen to examine how innovative technology may be able to support and further decarbonise our extensive logistics operations in the future.”

Hammad Jeilani, medical director and co-founder at Apian, said: “We’re pleased the trial has clearly demonstrated drone delivery of blood packs is feasible and safe, supporting the potential for drones to transport critical healthcare supplies to patients, at the right time and with fewer emissions.”

A similar trial for blood platelets is also being planned.