Vaccine Storage, Temperature Monitoring & Alarming

Vaccine Storage: Refrigerator/Freezer Monitoring & Alarming

Traditionally, vaccine storage temperature has been recorded manually in a vaccine temperature log book, for accreditation purposes as well as to ensure vaccine efficacy. Unfortunately, too many clinics have learned the hard way that this method carries a substantial amount of risk.

Temperatures logged manually may not be recorded accurately, or, if the facilities are closed over weekends, consistently. Even if temperatures are regularly checked and documented, staff may not respond to adverse temperature conditions when they occur.

Records & Recording:
When Best Practices Need Better Technology

This occurred in a National Research Centre, which had multiple pediatric clinics. A staff nurse had recorded the temperatures of the vaccine storage refrigerator, never realizing the storage temperature had gone out-of-tolerance. Once the error was discovered, the clinic had to advise parents and guardians of all previously inoculated children that they should re-immunize to ensure protection.

Read the Case Study...

Such a scenario is not uncommon. Data gathered by Weir and Hatch, published in the paper "Preventing Cold Chain Failure: Vaccine Storage and Handling" (2004 - JAMC) indicated that up to 20% of physician offices and health-care facilities do not meet the necessary requirements for proper vaccine storage and handling.

5 Steps to Ensure a Solid Vaccine Cold Chain

1. Refrigerators differ greatly in temperature from one corner to another. In most fridges, vaccines are best kept on the middle shelf. Storing Vaccines in the bottom shelf or drawer, on the door shelves, or near the freezer section may result in storing them far outside the manufacturer's recommendations.
   
   
2. If you receive a new piece of equipment, such as a freezer or refrigerator, it should be "mapped" before placing vaccinations within in order to validate the temperatures at different locations.
   
   
3. After initial verification of fridge/freezer temperatures, all compartments should be continuously monitored.
   
   
4. Remember that sensors measure air temperature, rather than vaccine temperature. The probe can be placed inside a vaccine box. This will also reduce the impact temperature changes from opening/closing the door.
   
   
5. Try to keep some space between the vials to allow the air to circulate around them.
   

Safe & Effective Vaccine Storage Temp Monitoring:
Additional Measures

To ensure vaccine potency, refrigerator and freezer temperatures must be monitored and documented, including the time and temperature. Twice daily temperature checks is standard, however, Veriteq's viewLinc™ monitoring system saves time by allowing staff to check in and report on temperatures throughout the day, from any PC on the network.

Should out-of-tolerance conditions occur, viewLinc sends an alarm to designated personnel via PC alert, cell phone, telephone dial-out or pager.

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation of refrigerator temperatures is necessary to assure vaccine potency. This also ensures that your facility is following the recommendations for storing and handling vaccines issued by the manufacturer.

To find products best suited to your vaccine storage, medical storage or clinical storage monitoring challenge, please see our Solutions page.