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Human blood in storage bags
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services

Blood Versus Plasma Storage & Transportation

Every year in the United States and Canada alone, 4.5 million people need a blood transfusion. The medical needs of these millions of people create a need for significant amounts of blood to be donated, stored, transported, and transfused on a daily basis. Each of these processes has specific requirements and standards in order to safely and effectively retrieve, store and send blood across the country. When storing and transporting blood and its components, it’s vital to understand the similarities and differences between the standards each component requires. Plasma (which makes up 55 percent of blood), as well as whole blood, are both common in types of patient transfusions, however, each has different storage and transport requirements. 

Blood V.S. Plasma

Whole blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Blood is stored in refrigerated environments with a shelf life of 21 to 35 days. Blood can be used in its whole form or have different components extracted after a blood draw depending on the medical need and intended use of the unit of blood. In order to acquire blood necessary for medical procedures, eligible individuals willing and ready to donate blood are essential. This donating process involves a medical professional inserting a sterile needle into the donor’s arm and completing a blood draw. An individual donating whole blood will usually give about a pint of blood, which takes 8 to 10 minutes to collect. The blood donation will be kept on ice until it is transported to a processing center where multiple tests are conducted on the donator’s blood to determine blood type and confirm that there are no diseases or irregularities within the donated unit. Once determining the donation is viable, the blood is packaged and properly stored until the time comes to distribute blood to a hospital or medical institution. Blood donations are used for surgeries, traumatic injuries, cancer treatments and so much more. In the United States, an individual is in need of blood every 2 seconds, so donating blood is an incredible act of service. One pint of blood (one donation!) can save up to three lives! Interested in donating? Learn more about the donation process and what you can do here!

In whole blood, red and white blood cells, as well as platelets, are suspended in a yellowish liquid called plasma. Plasma is essential to the body in maintaining blood pressure, supplying blood clotting proteins, and is also important for immunity and electrolyte transport. In order to extract plasma from other blood components, the liquid (plasma) and cells must be separated. When an individual chooses to donate plasma, a blood draw is conducted, similar to a whole blood donation. However, the key difference in this donation process is that the blood drawn is filtered through a high-tech machine that extracts plasma for collection and then sends red cells and platelets, along with saline, back into the donor’s body. This process takes longer than a whole blood donation, averaging about an hour and fifteen minutes. Once collected, plasma goes through a freezing process to store it properly. Plasma transfusions are conducted in cases of cancer treatment, burn victims, liver failure, and those that have experienced severe trauma.

3 Similarities in Blood and Plasma Storage

  1. Temperature Maintenance – Blood and plasma products must be stored in specific temperature conditions to properly preserve the product. This goes for storage as well as transport. When a product is in transport, extra measures must be taken to ensure that optimal temperature standards are being maintained.
  2. Time – When transporting blood and plasma, time is a huge factor. While these two products have different shelf lives, both of them should never have a transportation time of over 24 hours. Medi-Ops’s ground and air transportation services have created a standard of efficient and time-friendly transport in order to excel under these standards.
  3. Equipment – Unmonitored and ill-constructed equipment can be detrimental to the storage and transportation process of both blood and plasma. A careful eye and assurance of proper procedures are essential in cases of handling these medical products. 

3 Differences in Blood and Plasma Storage

  1. Temperature Requirement – While temperature maintenance is a similarity in both blood and plasma storage, the requirements for each are different. Blood units require refrigerated storage at 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. Plasma, once collected, must be flash frozen at -70 degrees celsius before being transferred to storage at -30 degrees celsius. These temperatures are imperative in maintaining both products.
  2. Shelf Life – In terms of shelf life, blood and plasma are drastically different. After extraction and proper storage, blood units have a shelf life of up to 35 days. In contrast, plasma can last up to a year in its frozen state. However, once thawed, plasma has a short shelf life of 5 days, depending on the plasma product.
  3. Container – Due to the difference in temperature, the type of containers used during transport is important when moving blood or plasma. Specifically designed blood transport boxes are most common for moving blood units from one location to another. Insulated containers with ice packs that can maintain the specific temperatures required to preserve blood during transport can also be used. When transporting plasma,  insulated containers that can support dry ice or a substantial amount of wet ice are necessary to keep the product in its ideal frozen state.

All in all, blood and plasma are used daily in the medical field and units are in constant need of transport. Although having their fair share of similarities and differences in the donation, storage, transportation, and transfusion processes, these products require specific attention to storage and transport details. The way Medi-Ops accommodates all of these specifics, safely transporting a variety of medical products and specimens, including plasma and blood, ensures consistent, quality service. When it comes to life-altering circumstances, the efficiency and quality of medical storage and transport are of the utmost importance.

on- board medical courier showing a white cargo plane
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services, Flight Services

On-Board Couriers in Medical Transportation

In the medical world, timing is not always predictable or within a medical professional’s control. When emergency situations arise, means of medical transport can be complicated. Due to this fact, Medi-Ops is quick to respond to calls with various services tailored specifically to meet the needs of any transport situation that may emerge. 

On July 4th of this year, a granulocyte transport for a pediatric lymphoma patient in New Orleans, Louisiana was urgently called in. Granulocytes are the most common white blood cells whose primary function is to fight infection and are used in transfusions to patients with low white blood cell counts. Donors will give granulocytes via blood separation processes and the units of donated granulocytes are only good for 24 hours from the start of the blood draw from a donor. Therefore, this independence day transport call was urgent and extremely time-sensitive. In this case, the granulocyte transport needed to move from Colorado to Louisiana within the 24-hour window. While Medi-Ops would typically handle this call with a Next Flight Out (NFO) service, many airline cargo stations were closed due to the holiday. An NFO service would require cargo stations to be utilized, as a driver drops the product at the airport with the airline, and then a pickup is scheduled on the other end of the flight to transport the product to its final destination. Due to the urgency of this call, an on-board courier method of transportation was required. This way, a Medi-Ops employee could take the product, accompany it onto and during the flight, and quickly transport it to the recipient within the narrow time window. While on-board courier methods are not as common in medical transport, utilizing this service can create ideal conditions for time-sensitive, emergency situations.

What Is On-Board Courier Transport?

The next flight out option with Medi-ops is great for so many reasons. However, sometimes cargo stations are closed on holidays or other occasions, invalidating the option of medical transport via NFO. In these cases, the on-board courier system is used to safely and efficiently transport blood, organs, and other medical specimens. With on-board couriers, a courier professional is physically present with the product throughout the duration of transport. On-board couriers ensure efficiency and safety in a time-sensitive manner. The ability to schedule these trips at the last minute makes on-board couriers ideal for certain urgent emergencies. 

When on-board courier transport is determined to be the most effective method of transportation, what exactly does the process look like? The on-board courier professional that is transporting the product will receive the cargo and accompany it through preflight procedures and onto a passenger flight. When landed, the courier brings the cargo safely through the deplaning process and transports it directly to the final destination, into the hands of medical professionals that will then take the product for its intended use.

On-Board Couriers V.S. Next Flight Out

More commonly, Medi-Ops utilizes the Next Flight Out Service when transporting products via air. An NFO service can be offered through an Indirect Air Carrier such as Medi-Ops. This kind of transport allows for the shipment of medical specimens and products over commercial airlines, providing rapid and secure transport. Through this method, a shipment is picked up and moved to the airport where it is tendered to the airline and monitored using Medi-Ops software during the flight. Post-flight, the shipment is retrieved and delivered to its final destination. The key difference between NFO and on-board couriers is that with an on-board courier there is a professional physically present on the flight and accompanying the product throughout the duration of transport. On-board courier transport tends to be more expensive, however, can be conducted on short notice and with greater flight options.

Safety

As one of the fastest modes of cargo transportation, on-board couriers ensure top-tier safety in medical transport. Because so many transport situations are extremely time-sensitive, on-board couriers are able to create a system where the product is getting exactly where it needs to be in the safest way possible. Since the courier professionals personally accompany the shipment, the product is monitored and watched at all times.

Efficiency

The efficiency of on-board couriers can not be overlooked either! Customs clearance and transport procedures during travel are quick and the products can immediately be available at their final destination. In the case of granulocyte transport previously mentioned, the short shelf life of the product can seemingly produce logistic problems. When granulocytes are extracted from a donor, the short shelf life requires the patient to receive the transfusion within hours. However, since there are rare and urgent needs in this area, granulocytes are often located out of state for certain patients. An efficient transport with an on-board courier can be the means of life or death in these cases. With Medi-Ops, the most efficient method of transport is utilized for each specific call. The option of on-board courier transport with Medi-Ops furthers the ability to address every transport need in the best way possible.

Every situation and call received by Medi-Ops requires evaluation on which means of transport creates the safest, most ideal environment for product, patients, and transportation. In the July 4th call to the pediatric patient, getting a rare and short shelf-life product transported across the United States within a small time window was an incredible accomplishment and couldn’t have been done without the use of on-board courier transport. On-board couriers therefore clearly become an essential means of medical transport when moving time-sensitive products across the country. Using this service ensures safety and efficiency simultaneously, creating the perfect means of emergency medical transport in rare and unique situations.

drone-carrying-medical-supplies
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services, Flight Services

How Drones and UAVs are Increasingly Offering Support During Medical Emergencies

Over the years, human beings have been shown to harness technology to meet their needs and wants. This dedication to the betterment of society has defied the limits of human possibility. Technology is increasingly being applied in modern healthcare to tackle some overarching challenges people face today. Much of the attention has been on the use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for direct patient intervention and to meet emergency medical supply needs.

Although drone technology was initially intended for aerial and military applications, innovators have since changed the trajectory and customized these systems for healthcare delivery. Already, there have been successful cases of healthcare organizations using drone technology to move laboratory samples, pharmaceuticals, blood products, medical supplies, organs, and vaccines to deserving populations.

This article covers the growing role of drones and UAV support during medical emergencies and what this might mean for the future of healthcare delivery.

The Transportation of Blood and Blood Products

One of the most important issues during medical emergencies is the need for emergency blood supplies to help stop uncontrolled hemorrhage. Because it is one of the primary causes of trauma-induced preventable deaths, stopping uncontrolled hemorrhage on time can greatly improve patient survival.

Patients who have undergone major trauma can be saved through timely blood transfusion. This process can be enhanced by integrating swift and reliable drone transport. An example can be given in Rwanda, where drones are being used to deliver cost-effective blood transportation services during traumatic events such as postpartum hemorrhage. The government has backed the process, which has helped save thousands of lives.

In the United States, the drone delivery of blood and blood products is yet to be successfully implemented due to the high regulation of air traffic. However, given the potential that these technologies have in shaping the future of blood transportation, it is just a matter of time before plans are put into place. 

The Shipping of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

Another fundamental application of drone technology is the delivery of AEDs to emergency locations. Research indicates that over 350,000 people annually experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in the United States. The survival rate is extremely low at ten percent.

The problem with OHCA situations is that it takes a while before EMS services arrive, leaving victims at the mercy of bystander conduct. Although bystander fibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can work sometimes, inaccuracies or little delays can prove fatal. 

In many rural areas, EMS services can take long before they arrive at emergency locations due to technical and logistical challenges. An activity that would often take 8 minutes can take up to 30, depending on the setting. Still, recent studies indicate that drones can deliver AEDs swiftly and reliably to where they are needed. The aim is for the AEDs to reach a designated bystander before emergency services arrive.

Therefore, drones have the capability to save lives in OHCA scenarios. If the use of this technology is completely rolled out, then the healthcare industry can improve the survival rate from the current 10%.

The Transportation of Rescue Medications

As earlier stated, drones are being used today to haul medicines and vaccines to deserving populations. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some drone companies used these technologies to deliver vaccines to rural locations in Africa. The uptake was immense, and the technology has since been rolled out in the United States to deliver health products to customers once they purchase them on e-commerce platforms. This ideology has also spread to Asia, where Japanese companies use drones to haul medical supplies to clinics and pharmacies within the Goto Islands. 

Although this reality has only been realized as a response to the pandemic, it can be seen that drone transportation of medical supplies has global applicability as the technology can be implemented both in rural and urban areas.

One of the potential application areas in the United States is the transportation of nasal spray naloxone to help manage opioid overdose (OD) cases. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists cutting opioid addiction rates as one of its key priorities. If drones are to be used to dispatch drones carrying nasal spray naloxone, bystanders would be better equipped to administer the antidote to opioid overdose victims on time.

Search and Rescue

It is vital to note that drones and UAVs have a role in the search and rescue of emergency victims. Because these technologies can fly remotely autonomously or non-autonomously, they can reach remote areas far quicker than humans. Drones and UAVs can also take photos and video recordings in real-time, which helps aid search and rescue (SAR) missions.

At the moment, much of this SAR drone application occurs when saving hikers and skiers in an avalanche, mountainous, and heavy snow regions. Accidents in these areas can greatly reduce survival probabilities meaning that rapid rescue missions are required.

An important point to note is that drones cannot extract victims from such topographical scenarios. However, innovators can integrate multispectral or thermal imaging cameras to identify the presence of gasses which helps locate accident victims.

Here, the aim is to efficiently locate victims and understand their conditions before EMS services can arrive at the emergency locations.

Bottom Line

Given the challenges that have come up in the pandemic era and the need for humans to harness technology for healthcare needs, it can be expected that the use of drones and UAVs will increase.

Drone technology allows healthcare stakeholders to transport blood, blood products, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), rescue medications, and perform search and rescue procedures. With global applicability and confidence increasing across all stakeholders, more utilization of drones and UAVs in healthcare can be expected.

If you are looking for a professional and technology-enabled medical logistics and transportation company to meet your organization’s needs, reach out to us. We offer our customers a unique and innovative perspective on managing their medical supply chains. 

We can manage and coordinate all your medical transportation activities for you. Our specialties include ground and air medical couriers, NEMT transportation, ambulance transportation, and unmanned aerial services.

woman-receiving-prescription-medicines-medical-delivery-concept
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services

Ways Last-Mile Medical Delivery is Improving

Online retail sales have evolved from an oddity to the norm over the last decade. As with other sectors, it has also transformed the healthcare industry. According to the US Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), home health spending will rise from $103 billion to $173 billion by 2026. This will mark a 78 % increase in spending in less than a decade. The increase in home health spending signals an excellent investment opportunity for medical organizations. However, it comes with a unique set of challenges concerning last-mile medical delivery. 

Therefore, as organizations compete to enhance efficiency, cut costs, and increase market share, there have been some notable advancements in the area. 

Read on to learn how last-mile courier shipping in the medical sector is evolving and how you can capitalize on it. 

The Challenges of Last Mile Medical Deliveries

Before delving into the change in last-mile medical delivery, it’s first important to understand the challenges. To begin with, it’s vital to appreciate that in addition to the general last-mile delivery challenges, the medical sector has some unique ones. 

This is largely due to the time sensitivity of the deliveries, the nature of products, and potential risks. In simple terms, a delayed or failed delivery has greater ramifications for all parties. So, it comes with a lot of pressure. 

  • Special Handling – Many pharmaceutical products require special handling and specific conditions such as low temperatures to be maintained throughout. If not, they will spoil or become ineffective.
  • Additional Skill Requirements – Beyond driving, medical sector delivery drivers require additional skills. These include monitoring temperature and setting up and installing medical devices such as oxygen tanks and dialysis machines. 
  • On-Demand Deliveries – Emergencies in the medical sector are a common occurrence and must be addressed swiftly as they’re often life or death cases. However, adjusting to them when you already have a full schedule is not easy.
  • Driver Continuity – Many healthcare facilities and clients request that only one driver handles all their deliveries. While this adds to the level of customer trust and satisfaction, it makes it difficult to plan last-mile deliveries. 

How Last Mile Medical Delivery is Evolving 

While the pressure of last-mile medical deliveries is high, getting it right is very rewarding. This means that products are handled well throughout the delivery, and they arrive on time. To do this, you need to have full control of the supply chain, including minute details.

While it may sound impossible, you can leverage advanced technological solutions to enjoy greater visibility and control over last-mile deliveries. Such solutions offer:

1. Last Mile Visibility

As mentioned, medical deliveries are unique as some products require a unique set of conditions to be maintained throughout. Ordinarily, it’s not easy to ascertain whether these conditions were maintained.

However, with advanced tools, you can enjoy last-mile visibility. This allows courier companies and medical practitioners to monitor conditions in real-time. In doing so, decision-making is significantly enhanced, thus improving outcomes. 

2. Automated Route Optimization

If deliveries are scheduled long before the delivery date, fulfilling them is easy. However, that’s not always the case. In addition to the scheduled ones, there are also on-demand deliveries. These, in fairness, can be a nightmare to deal with.

First, you need to find a way to fit them into an already tight schedule. But that’s the easy part. You’ll also need to match the delivery with the best-suited driver in relation to their hours of service (HOS), location, and other factors.

As you do this, you may be forced to adjust other deliveries. An automation tool that offers route optimization can help with this. They account for all variables, including the type of vehicle needed and cold storage requirements, and create a delivery schedule instantly.

But beyond matching appropriate drivers with deliveries, they also choose the most efficient routes. This means drivers will be assigned deliveries with the minimum possible distance, thus reducing delivery times and fuel costs. 

3. Digital Proof of Delivery

Medical supplies and equipment are highly sensitive. And some of them can be used for harmful purposes if they’re in the wrong hands. Therefore, the last thing you want is uncertainty about their whereabouts.

Was the consignment delivered or not? This is a question that should never come up.

Automated platforms for managing medical deliveries can help with this. They have a feature that allows the driver to capture proof of delivery digitally. On the other hand, customers can give instant feedback. 

4. Delivery Notifications

A key part of your job is ensuring medical deliveries are done on time, and the products arrive in peak condition. However, you can achieve this but fail in the overall objective of providing medical care. 

While medical supplies are in transit during emergency deliveries, there are people on the other side waiting for them. These include the patient and caregivers. The duration they have to wait for the delivery often influences their decision-making and preparation.

This is one of the simple yet invaluable features of a digital medical delivery solution. It provides delivery notifications informing patients and caregivers of the progress. Doing this significantly enhances their decision-making and capacity to plan. 

5. Deep Insights

Using an automated solution to optimize last-mile medical deliveries helps you achieve greater efficiency. Moreover, it gives you flexibility and visibility over the supply chain. But that’s not all. 

It also collects key data on your delivery processes that would otherwise be invisible. By analyzing this data, you’ll gain crucial insights into how you can further optimize the process. This may be by resolving bottlenecks or making further improvements. 

Eliminate the Hassle of Last Mile Medical Deliveries

As a health service provider, the growth of in-health services and medical deliveries presents a huge opportunity. Along with increasing revenues, it also allows you to increase access to the necessary medical equipment and services to consumers. But, it does not have to be a painstaking process.MediOps is a technology-enabled medical logistics and transportation company. We have proprietary software that simplifies medical supply management while increasing visibility. Get in touch with us today for reliable last-mile medical courier services.

doctor-holding-a-carrier-for-air-transport-medical-courier-concept
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services, Flight Services

Consideration Factors for Air & Ground Medical Courier Operations

When it comes to getting sensitive materials and specimens to their destinations, you want to make sure that everything is handled with care. Regardless of the mode of transport you choose, it’s crucial that medical shipments get to their destinations safely and quickly. There are two distinctive types of medical couriers: ground and air. Before settling on the right method of transport, you need to know how to weigh their pros and cons. Here are some factors you should consider when choosing between ground and air transportation for your medical courier operations. 

Cost

The obvious advantage of ground transportation is its low cost, especially when you factor in fuel prices. Because aviation fuel is much more expensive than conventional gas, flying can drive up your shipping costs.

However, there are some other considerations you should take into account alongside cost. For example, if you need shipment within 24 hours and your product isn’t temperature-sensitive, ground shipping may make more sense in terms of the overall cost. Conversely, if you need overnight delivery, such as human blood samples sent from one hospital to another, it might be worth investing in air courier services.

Turnaround Time

Time is always a significant factor, especially when you are delivering sensitive products that can only be handled by medical professionals. The prompt arrival of critical items could also mean saving someone’s life.

By using air transport, you are generally able to do deliveries faster than would be possible with ground shipping. While ground shipping can be cheaper, it can be effected by weather changes or road conditions such as traffic jams. 

Nevertheless, at Medi-Ops, we have made our ground transportation system as fast as possible through the use of lights and siren couriers. Our AI technology also makes it easy for us to evaluate many different routes and settle on the most appropriate one, avoiding traffic and other potential pitfalls. 

Ability to Track Shipment

The ability to track your shipment via GPS devices is critical when sending medical supplies. Any sort of tracking device, such as those found on airplanes, can be invaluable in preventing you from losing your shipment altogether. 

If you’re carrying blood products, such as platelets and plasma proteins, you need tracking capabilities that will ensure their safety 24/7. Furthermore, if delivery is urgent and an ambulance must be called in an emergency, having at least some level of tracking capability makes it easier for responders to locate your shipment quickly. 

In addition to airplane deliveries, ground couriers now offer smart shipping containers that come equipped with GPS-tracking technology. These units make shipping medical supplies even more reliable.

Regulations

The regulatory environment is changing rapidly across several industries. Government regulations that impact medical courier services include HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration), FDCA (Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act), PHMSA (Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), and IMDG / IATA / RID (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code).

It is important to determine if your items are classified as Hazardous Materials (HazMat). If they are, you will need an FAA license to transport them via air. However, most states require HazMat items to be transported by ground-only couriers. 

Distance

If you’re only transporting your products across town, you’ll probably have a better experience with ground transportation. On the other hand, the big advantage of air transport is that it covers much larger distances faster than ground vehicles. 

Safety

Whenever your medical courier operation involves specimens, sensitive pharmaceuticals, or highly regulated medical devices, you’ll want to choose a mode of transport that minimizes risk. Air carriers are regulated by multiple federal agencies and have strict safety standards in place. For instance, if something goes wrong with a flight transporting samples from an infectious disease lab, pilots must be specially trained on how to handle such situations. On average, ground transportation for these types of shipments isn’t subject to as many safety regulations. 

Weather Considerations

In areas with a high rate of inclement weather, ground travel can be hazardous and risky. Regardless of how careful drivers can be, they could still hit icy patches on roads, causing vehicles to slide off-road. If you’re located in an area prone to snow, rain, and hurricanes, opt for air transport. It will guarantee you more safety, flexibility, and faster delivery time. 

Condition of Item Being Shipped

Temperature-sensitive or otherwise fragile products need special handling. For such shipments, an air courier service is your best bet, particularly if you don’t have time to wait around on ground shipping. For less sensitive items, it’s better to choose ground services and avoid the high costs associated with airline travel.

An Appropriate Solution for Your Medical Courier

There are many factors that you should consider when choosing between ground and air transport for your medical courier operations. Each mode of transportation has its own benefits and limitations. You need to take into account many factors like cost, expected delivery times, distance, regulatory aspects, legal concerns, and more. At Medi-Ops, we provide you with the right ground and air transport services for all your medical needs. Regardless of how complicated your operation is, our team of medical courier professionals can help you take it from conception to completion. We rely on the best technology that includes AI and machine learning to find the right solution for your transportation needs. Contact us today if you have any questions about our courier services.

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