Q&A · 3:20:31-3:22:33

Hospital drones, central laboratories and secure deliveries

Nearby hospital sites illustrate useful sample delivery and more difficult medication security.

Question

What drone proposals have been considered for hospitals?

Short answer

Sample transport could support centralised laboratories. Medication delivery adds security concerns, particularly for controlled drugs.

Notes

Drones could move small blood samples between hospital sites and support centralised laboratories. Dan considers nearby-site journeys useful where buildings cannot each contain every kind of equipment. University College London's hospitals supply an example of several locations only minutes apart. The analogy is an extension of existing vacuum-pod systems. Medication creates security difficulties, especially for controlled drugs such as morphine and oxycodone. Such deliveries would require strong security.