低空应用新场景 无人机送医疗标本 搭建“空中生命线” 为患者争取更多时间

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of a drone delivery system at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital significantly enhances the efficiency of intra-hospital logistics, allowing for rapid transportation of pathological specimens directly from operating rooms to the pathology department, thus improving surgical decision-making and patient safety [1][3][5]. Group 1: Drone Implementation and Efficiency - The drone delivery system, operational since late September, reduces specimen transport time from over 20 minutes to just 2 minutes, allowing for quicker access to critical pathological reports during surgeries [3][5]. - This innovation has been successfully used for transporting common tumor specimens weighing up to 200 grams, such as those from thyroid and breast surgeries [5]. Group 2: Safety and Technical Considerations - The drone operation includes a specially designed takeoff and landing platform and a low-altitude intelligent network to ensure safe and automated flights, addressing potential risks such as signal loss and adverse weather conditions [6]. - The hospital has established operational guidelines that permit drone use in conditions of wind below level 7 and light rain, ensuring safety during specimen delivery [6]. Group 3: Broader Implications and Future Expansion - The drone logistics initiative in Shanghai is expanding beyond intra-hospital deliveries to include inter-hospital transportation, with recent routes established that cut delivery times by nearly half compared to ground transport [8]. - Other cities are also piloting drone deliveries for medical supplies, including blood and emergency medications, indicating a growing trend in utilizing drones for healthcare logistics [8].