Missouri Tests Medical Drones to Speed Rural Blood, Sample Deliveries

A medical drone program under testing in Missouri aims to accelerate delivery of critical supplies such as blood and lab samples, particularly in rural areas with limited access to care.

Drone company partners with Missouri University of Science and Technology at a test site in the state. The trials involve flights to transport medical materials from smaller communities to larger hospital hubs.

The initiative seeks to hasten distribution of blood for testing, diagnostic lab samples and tissue for matching organ donors with recipients.

"It’s very essential. For instance, if you miss sample pickup at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, if you miss that time, it’s another week you can get it delivered on time," said a drone operator involved in the project.

Rural healthcare access poses ongoing challenges nationwide. More than 130 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021, according to the Senate Joint Economic Committee. That forces some patients to travel about 20 extra miles for care, including time-sensitive testing and procedures.

"When you’re looking at things like transplant speed, it’s an issue," said David Borrok, vice provost and dean of the College of Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The company states its drones fly at about 100 miles per hour. Testing follows a proposed route linking Springfield, Rolla and the St. Louis region.

"We’re partnering with American Transplant, and we’re running our test corridor from all the way from Springfield, pit stop in Rolla, all the way up to St. Louis," the operator said.

Operators monitor flights in real time with live maps, weather tools and air traffic data.

"So right now, this is the station. So this is what the pilot sees whenever the aircraft is actually in flight," the operator added.

Similar programs are starting to appear nationwide. Researchers say the technology holds potential to broaden medical supply deliveries going forward.

"It’s really unique. And I think it could work in a lot of different ways for a lot of different people," Borrok said.

The team plans to launch official flights this summer, starting with medical samples. Future drone models will handle transplant-related materials.

A planned landing site in St. Albans will act as the easternmost drop point on the route.