A new medical drone program being tested in Missouri could speed up delivery of critical supplies like blood, lab samples, and transplant tissue, especially in rural areas where access to care is limited.
The effort involves a drone company working with Missouri University of Science and Technology. Flights are being trialed between smaller communities and larger hospital hubs.
A drone operator involved in the project said it’s essential because missing a sample pickup can delay delivery by a week.
The need is underscored by the closure of more than 130 rural hospitals between 2010 and 2021, forcing patients to travel about 20 extra miles for care.
David Borrok, vice provost and dean of engineering at Missouri S&T, noted that transplant speed is a critical issue.
The drones, capable of flying about 100 miles per hour, are being tested along a route connecting Springfield, Rolla, and St. Louis. The team partners with American Transplant.
Flights are monitored in real time with maps, weather tools, and air traffic data. The team hopes to begin official flights this summer, initially for medical samples and later for transplant materials.