Proper refrigerator calibration is essential to preserve the efficacy of your costly vaccines and other medications. The optimum temperature to store your vaccines in a medical refrigerator is between 2 to 8 degrees centigrade, as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The temperature range must be kept constant during the transportation and storage of your vaccine. Most medical refrigerators are equipped with sensitive temperature sensors and digital controllers to keep your medical refrigerator within the required temperature range. However, these temperature probes and digital controllers lose their accuracy with time.

The National Institute of Standards (NIST) records that 35% of wasted vaccines are due to uncalibrated medical refrigerators. It has prompted NIST to set up a calibration standard for all medical refrigerators. For you to be within the CDC and NIST calibration requirements, it is advisable to calibrate your medical refrigerator regularly. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we offer precise medical refrigerator calibration in San Francisco. We use the latest calibration technology and equipment to produce the most accurate and premier calibration and validation standards.

How to Keep Your Medical Refrigerator Calibrated

Use a Calibrated Medical Refrigerator

Most medical refrigerators come with pre-installed temperature probes and digital controllers. These controllers are often calibrated according to NIST standards and often accompanied by a calibration certificate lasting for a year or two. The calibration certificate act as proof that the temperature is within the standard range approved by the CDC. However, after the calibration period elapses, you need to recalibrate your refrigerator.

Use of Calibrated Thermal Recorder and Data Logger

A thermal recorder refers to an internal temperature probe that is mainly combined with a small digital thermometer, i.e. a data logger. The data logger is mostly NIST calibrated and has a different price range according to its features. You may purchase a data logger that is Bluetooth or WiFi-enabled, or one with sophisticated high-tech cloud-based notification and reporting software. Place your data logger inside your medical refrigerator next to your specimen. Ensure that you pass its connecting wires through the data loggers’ ports to the display or a monitor, mounted mainly on top of your medical refrigerator for easier temperature monitoring. If you want to install thermal recorders and data loggers in your medical refrigerator, Biotechnical Services Inc. has experienced and qualified technical staff. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we will install your data loggers and help you with refrigerator calibration in San Diego and its environs.

Recalibrate Your Medical Refrigerator

When choosing either a calibrated medical refrigerator or a data logger, consider the ease of recalibration for each option. Since most medical refrigerators lack NIST calibrated temperature controllers, adding a thermal recorder and a data logger for alarms and VFC reporting is advisable. Having both a temperature controller and a data logger provides dual reporting and eliminates the chances of losing your products in the refrigerator. Most data loggers require that you ship them to the manufacturer for calibration. However, you can contact a calibration specialist for onsite calibration. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we offer the services of onsite medical refrigerator calibration. Once you notice a deviation in temperature reading, contact us at Biotechnical Services Inc. for your onsite medical refrigerator calibration in San Francisco and other regions of California.

How to Keep Your Medical Refrigerator Working Smooth

Check The Door Seal

You should check your medical refrigerator door seal to determine if there is any wear and tear. When you close the refrigerator door, ensure that there is no gaps between its body and the seal. If your seal has a tear, contact a technical for seal replacement to make your refrigerator run efficiently.

Check The Fan and Motor

Always clean both the cooling fans outside and inside your medical refrigerator to eliminate the trapped dust and particles. When cleaning, use a damp cloth to dust off the motor and the fan blades. Clear all the residue and ensure that the cooper tubing remains insulated and intact.

Clean The Inner Cabinet

The shelving and the entire inner cabinet unit need a thorough cleaning to avoid the growth of bacteria or fungi. Avoid cleaning the inner cabinet when the vaccines or other medicines are inside. Opening the cabinet door for cleaning will make the refrigerator temperature out of range. To eliminate the bacteria or fungi, use a disinfectant such as Lysol.

Check Electrical Connections and Power Cord

To ensure the safety of your medical refrigerator, ensure that the appliance plug is not burnt looking, melted, broken, or twisted up. Ensure that the electrical connections to the power cord are not worn out and that the insulation is still intact without any strip or an exposed conductor.

Other Equipment to Check

Ensure that the data loggers and temperature controllers give precise and accurate notifications and reports. Ensure that your calibration certificate is not expired. If the calibration period has elapsed, contact a specialized for immediate calibration. Check your battery backup system to avoid losses due to power interruptions. It is essential to check the battery backup at least weekly.

Conclusion

Medical refrigerator calibration ensures that your vaccines and other medicines are in the correct temperature range. Inaccurate temperature reading could cause you losses. It is vital to keep your medical refrigerator accurate at all times. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we can install data loggers and temperature controllers in your refrigerator professionally. Contact us at Biotechnical Services Inc. for your medical refrigerator calibration in San Francisco and its environs when you notice a slight change in temperature reading.