Posts Tagged ‘Vaccine and Medical’
Vaccine Refrigerators for the 2014 Flu Season
The fast-approaching 2014 flu season serves as a reminder for healthcare facility operators to review their vaccine storage practices especially relating to the ability of their vaccine refrigerators to maintain the correct storage temperature. As reported in previous Tovatech posts costs related to loss of vaccine potency due to human error and mechanical failure can be very substantial. Most of these losses occur at the end of the vaccine cold chain – when they arrive at clinics and stored prior to being administered to patients.
Minimizing Vaccine Storage Losses
Human error can be lessened and hopefully eliminated by establishing comprehensive vaccine storage and handling guidelines as suggested in the CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit. Losses related to improper storage temperatures can be minimized or eliminated when refrigeration equipment is designed to maintain tight temperature tolerances. The proper storage temperature for refrigerated vaccines is provided by the manufacturer but normally … Read the rest
Storage Tips to Help Safeguard Vaccines
Vaccine storage is an important topic that must be addressed by hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. A good reference is the CDC’s Vaccine and Storage Handling Toolkit*. Among the suggestions are segregating different vaccine formulas used in these facilities to areas that are clearly identified. Store by expiration dates and administer vaccines following first-in-first-out procedures. Expired vaccines should be disposed of in an approved manner in accordance with state health requirements. (Updated December 26, 2013)
Vaccines lose their potency if improperly stored. Clinics should follow manufacturers’ recommended storage temperatures. Residential-grade refrigerators and freezers are not designed to maintain the temperature consistency necessary for proper storage of vaccines. Using these types of units can result in financial loss for clinics and patient aggravation due to spoiled vaccines.
If budgets do not permit the purchase of pharmacy-grade refrigerators and freezers, laboratory refrigerators and and laboratory freezers such
How to Store Hepatitis Vaccine
Proper refrigerated storage of hepatitis vaccines is essential to maintain potency as well as to avoid substantial monetary losses due to lack of potency and the time and inconvenience to revaccinate patients. Proper vaccine storage is also required for providers participating in the Adult Hepatitis Vaccine Project, which is equivalent to the Vaccines for Children program. AHVP compliance is necessary for providers participating in the project and receiving state-supplied vaccines.
Step 1: Calculate Vaccine Storage Requirements
Healthcare providers should calculate the number of hepatitis vaccines they will store in their refrigerator. This is done by adding the number of public and private vaccines on hand from the last order and multiplying that number by 1.25 to determine total doses. Using the table below match this number with the minimum cubic feet required for storage.
|
Maximum doses | Minimum cubic feet |
|
1000-2000 |
40 |
How to Calculate Vaccine Storage Requirements
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the timing of the flu season can vary but most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
Healthcare facilities should be preparing for the 2013-14 flu season by first making certain that they have the required number of doses on hand and the proper refrigeration equipment for vaccine storage. This post will take a look at both issues.
How to Calculate Vaccine Doses
Calculating vaccine doses you will need for a flu season is based, logically, on the number you typically administer during a flu season. In all likelihood you may use more refrigerated vaccine than frozen vaccine.
In making your calculations keep in mind that the CDC suggest maintaining a 60-day supply but ordering replacement stock (if needed) … Read the rest
Safe Vaccine Storage Check List
Updated versions of three vaccines have been recommended by the World Health Organization for the 2012-2013 flu season according to the Centers for Disease Control. In order to avoid vaccine deterioration it is essential that healthcare facilities take special precautions in vaccine storage and handling especially as it related to vaccine storage temperature. Inoculation centers should use vaccine storage refrigerators designed to maintain accurate cold chain storage temperatures. Residential and dorm-type units are not likely to maintain correct temperatures, which can result in loss of potency and the need to revaccinate – not to mention the cost of lost product.
Check Recommended Vaccine Storage Temperatures
Influenza vaccine manufacturers provide recommended storage temperatures for both LAIV (live attenuated influenza vaccine) administered as a nasal spray and TIV (trivalent influenza vaccine) administered as a flu shot. According to the CDC LAIV is shipped at 35°F – 46°F (2°C-8°C) and should be stored … Read the rest
How MD Offices Save Space with a Compact Vaccine Refrigerator
Rules and recommendations abound concerning vaccine storage with strict temperature control usually heading the list and an awareness of expiration dates following closely behind. For medical doctors engaged in family practice vaccine refrigerators are a must. The goal is to provide safe storage in a vaccine refrigerator sized to meet the inventory needs of practices working with tight budgets. Compact undercounter or tabletop models on the market, such as the 1.6 cubic foot FFAR22LTMED, 2.5 cubic foot FF28LTMED, and 2.8 cubic foot FF32LTMED series available from Tovatech, provide economically priced solutions for vaccine refrigeration needs.
Designed for Tight Temperature Control
With footprints of approximately 22 inches or less these compact medical refrigerators have product protection and monitoring features matching those found on full-sized models. Examples include:
- Temperature control from 2˚ to 8˚C
- Hospital-grade “green dot” power cords
- Audible temperature warning alarms
- Digital thermostats with
Dual-Compressor Lab Refrigerator-Freezer
Research labs, healthcare facilities and similar organizations faced with limited storage capabilities for drugs, vaccines and other valuable perishables can solve the problem with a 2-foot square x 79-inch high combination scientific refrigerator-freezer with separate compartments each with its own door, temperature control and compressor.
The combination CP171TOV-MED medical refrigerator/freezer available from Tovatech has approximately 7.2 cubic feet of refrigerator space and 3.6 cubic feet of freezer space, each compartment with its own digital thermostat and high/low temperature alarm. The upper auto-defrost refrigerator has a temperature range of 2 – 8˚C (35.6 – 46.4˚F) and is equipped with three adjustable wire shelves, two crispers and door-mounted shelves. The lower manual-defrost freezer unit has a temperature range of -15 to – 18˚C (5 to -.4˚F) and is equipped with three transparent slide out drawers that help maintain temperature stability. The unit’s doors are reversible to open left to right or right … Read the rest