Drone-based logistics for laboratory specimens represents an emerging solution to the transportation bottleneck in multi-campus hospitals. This review summarizes the effects of drone transport on specimen stability, the current status of standards and regulations, and the institutional logic driving its rapid adoption in China. Available evidence suggests that, with appropriate shock absorption and temperature control, the impact on most laboratory parameters remains clinically acceptable. However, vibration-sensitive items, such as urine leukocyte count and lactate dehydrogenase, warrant attention. The diffusion of this technology in China is dominated by mimetic and coercive isomorphism, while independent cost-effectiveness data remain insufficient. Priorities include multicenter validation of specimen stability, the development of national standards, and the implementation of a mandatory incident reporting system.
