Pharmacy or biological grade refrigerators or freezers are recommended for just these functions. All personnel using these units should be briefed on proper operating procedures together with article keeping.
All vaccines are not the same. For example the vaccine for the 2010 2011 flu season will be damaged by freezing, while others must be kept freezing from the time of institute to just prior to administering. Guidelines in case,granted by California's division of collective health state that because hand-operated defrost refrigerators have primary climatic characteristic variations, often freezing and damaging vaccines, they should not be used for vaccine storage. Instead specify auto defrost refrigerators. Conversely hand-operated defrost units are preferable for vaccine freezers providing there is an alternate freezer to hold the vaccines while the former freezer undergoes defrosting.
3 Door Refrigerator
Temperature operate is primary and the accurate warehouse climatic characteristic is in case,granted by the vaccine supplier. Most vaccines should be refrigerated between 36 degrees and 46 degrees F year around, while freezers should enounce a climatic characteristic of 5 degrees F or below. Auto defrost refrigerators highlight digital Led microprocessor controls with climatic characteristic displays and high low audible and optic alarms that signal if the unit operates face preset climatic characteristic limits. hand-operated defrost laboratory freezers highlight adjustable climatic characteristic operate and offer an elective digital thermometer alarm.
If a refrigerator or freezer does not have an external climatic characteristic display an Nist or Astm certified thermometer should be placed centrally in the unit. Temperatures should be recorded at the starting and end of the day.
The size of the units should store the largest amount of vaccine doses staggering to be administered while allowing adequate space to keep the vaccines 2 to 3 inches away from walls, floors and other materials inside. With the irregularity of other medications the units should not be used to refrigerate or ice any other products. Glass doors allowing constant monitoring of contents, magnetic door gaskets for improved sealing and lockable doors for further stock safety are desirable features.
Before purchasing a new vaccine refrigerator or vaccine freezer take the time to find space for it in your healthcare facility. Units should not be placed in areas where they receive direct sunlight, or under or near heating and air conditioning ducts. Units should have their own electrical outlet, preferably on its own circuit. Be sure to allow adequate room for air to freely circulate above and around the unit. Steps should be in place to fast relocate contents in the event of a power failure or unit malfunction.
In summary, proper vaccine warehouse is primary in any healthcare premise for the safety of patients and safety of the vaccine inventory. Residential refrigerators and freezers are a poor substitute for scientific grade equipment designed especially for vaccines.
How are vaccines stored in your healthcare facility? Do you have written procedures to be followed by all personnel authorized to access the vaccine refrigerator and vaccine freezer?
leading New Guidelines for Vaccine Refrigerators and Vaccine Freezers
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