Calif. hospital testing drone delivery of genomic samples

Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, a subsidiary of Rady Children's Hospital—San Diego, as launched a pilot program using drones to deliver genomic testing specimens from the hospital to the lab, according o an article on the Becker's Hospital Review.

The drone program could potentially shorten the time between when a genomic sample is taken and when test results are returned.

"We are excited about the potential this innovative technology offers to improve healthcare outcomes for critically sick babies," Stephen Kingsmore, MD, president and CEO of the institute, said in a Jan. 21 news release.

The project is currently still in testing stages. Testing will need to be completed and validated by the Federal Aviation Administration before the program can be adopted.

Read the article.