No more hand-carried samples; TIMS Sanathnagar to use air-powered tube system to transport blood samples across departments

TIMS Sanathnagar introduces an air-powered tube system for efficient blood sample transport, enhancing infection control and workflow.

Moving blood samples across hospital departments through sealed air-powered tube system instead of hand-carried trays, and transporting biomedical waste through dedicated corridors away from patient areas are among the features being introduced at the soon-to-be-inaugurated Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) at Sanathnagar here.

The 1,000-bed hospital, as announced by the Health department, is scheduled for inauguration on Ugadi, March 19. The facility is being designed with infrastructure typically seen in large private hospitals, with the aim of improving infection control and streamlining hospital workflow, said Director of Medical Education (DME) A. Narendra Kumar.

One of the key features planned at TIMS Sanathnagar is a pneumatic chute system that will allow the movement of blood samples and other materials between departments without the need for manual transport. A pneumatic chute system is an air-powered tube system used in hospitals to quickly send small items such as blood samples, medicines or documents between different departments. The item is placed inside a small sealed container and inserted into a tube station, after which air pressure pushes the container through a network of tubes installed within the building to the required department.

“The system, commonly used in private hospitals, is rarely found in government institutions. The hospital design includes multiple chute systems, with separate channels planned for blood samples and pharmacy supplies, enabling quicker and more efficient movement of materials across departments,” said Dr. Kumar.

Another design feature is the creation of dedicated ‘dirty corridors’ within the operation theatre complexes. In many government hospitals, soiled linen and biomedical waste generated from operation theatres often pass through the same corridors used by hospital staff and patients, raising concerns about hygiene and infection control.

“Under the new design, waste and used materials will be transported through separate corridors located on the outer side of the operation theatre blocks. This will reduce the risk of contamination in common areas and improve overall infection control standards within the hospital,” the DME added.