See appendix 1 for sample recording chart The fridge temperature must be kept between the range of 2C and 8C. 8C 46F less than 2C 36F or freezer is greater than 0C 32F to determine problem or refrigerator temperature containing perishable patient food is greater than 8degrees C 46F or less than -4 degrees Celsius 25F.
The freezer temperature should be 0 F -18 C.
Refrigerator temperature range for medications. Time spent outside of this temperature range are known as temperature excursions. Store vaccines at ideal temperature. Handling problematic drugs a.
Drugs stored at out of range temperature for significant periods of time may become ineffective and must be disposed of. A few medications can even maintain their composition if they are frozen. Refrigerators to store medicines should maintain an air temperature of 2-8C with the minimum of intervention and the fridge must be lockable.
The fri dge temperature should be checked and recorded daily. Temperature Monitoring Best Practices for Refrigerated VaccinesFahrenheit F Temperature Monitoring Best Practices for Refrigerated VaccinesFahrenheit F 1. For refrigerators you should keep the units temperature between 2C and 8C 36F and 46F.
A separate policy applies to the Laboratory. Organization should also have a defined process for the disposal of medication from a refrigerator or freezer which has deviated from the specified temperature range. A good rule of thumb is to set your medication refrigerator at the middle point between the minimum and maximum storage temperature to allow for a proper storage temperature even with small fluctuations due to the door being opened during the day.
All reported temperature excursions will be investigated and assessed. As a common rule medications should be stored away from heat air light and moisture. If refrigerator temperatures are less than 2C or greater than 8C report immediately to the public health unit for assessment of vaccine potency.
If you need to store materials in a freezer keep the unit between -50C and -15C -58F and 5F. Medical Refrigerators are used to store temperature-sensitive drugs and vaccines. Its no secret that medical refrigerators and freezers have different recommended temperature ranges.
Many medicines can be maintained in temperatures as low as 52 degrees F such as the liquid form of the antibiotic amoxicillin or interferon beta which is used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. If the fridge temperature is. This increases the risk of the drug expiring before use leading to waste and amplified financial burden.
Standard domestic refrigerators are not ideal for storing cold chain products for a number of reasons including an uneven temperature distribution as a result of minimal air circulation and a normal operating range of between 0 and 10C. The range for freezers is -5 to -30 degrees Celsius. Have a thermometer - 36 to 46 degrees F USP Standard for drug storage c.
If the medication fridge is out of accepted temperature range less than 2 degrees Celsius or more than 8 degrees Celsius and an obvious cause for the medication fridge malfunction cannot be identified the medicines are at risk of being exposed to further temperature excursions. Every medication has its own recommended storage condition from room temperature to refrigerating to freezing. A medication fridge should provide a stable temperature of between 36 and 46 degrees F.
The fridge should not be sited in an environment where extremes of temperature 10 C or 32 C will affect their performance. Some refrigerated drugs may be short dated and stored at ambient temperature significantly reducing the life of the drug. It is recommended that the minimum and maximum temperatures and the current temperature are all recorded.
12 The applicable range of the digital thermometer used for refrigerators is 2 to 8 degrees Celsius or 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Link to FDA Source Keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40 F 4 C. The majority of medications are recommended to be stored at room temperature between 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Contact Pharmacy 3-7650 if the refrigerator that is out of range is used to store medications. A process must be in place to ensure appropriate temperatures are being maintained within the required ranges for the medications stored and identifies maintenance responsibilities. Many vaccines require storage between 2C and 8C.
Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends the following for refrigerated and food storage. And for nearing out of range temperatures and may be further individualized to specific devices for assigned staff such as a pharmacist - who will monitor the pharmacy refrigerator temperature since only a pharmacist can access the Pharmacy.
