St. Louis-based company Mid-America Transplant is introducing drone technology as a way to transport blood samples into population centers like Springfield. They are working with the FAA and Valkyrie UAS to create advanced long-range drone technology for this purpose. This development will not only transform organ donation and transplantation but also create opportunities for advancing rural healthcare.
Mid-America Transplant President Kevin Lee envisions using drones to deliver prescription medication to individuals in rural Missouri, cutting down on travel time and increasing access to care. The company is looking at using beyond line-of-sight, or fixed-wing drones, to transport blood samples from Springfield to St. Louis. Lee stated that using a drone for this trip would cost approximately $1,000, significantly less than the $10,000 cost for a roundtrip using an aircraft.
The University of Missouri in St. Louis is collaborating with Mid-America Transplant on a research project to address potential challenges with blood sample transportation via drone technology. Dr. Haitao Li from UMSL highlighted the need to address operational aspects such as scheduling, routing, and resource limitations.
Mid-America Transplant will be showcasing one of its drones in Springfield on July 12 at the Jordan Valley Innovation Center. This initiative has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery in rural areas and improve access to essential medical services.Keep an eye out for updates from the event next Friday.
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