 Is the refrigerator suitable for use in a busy office-based practice environment? Yes. - The Medisafe brand is suppied by Quirks which is the largest commercial fridge supplier in Australia
Does the vaccine refrigerator provide temperature readings up to at least 26°C? Yes. - (Note: This information is important for Queensland Health when managing a cold chain breach.)
Does the refrigerator have automatic defrost capabilities? Yes
Do Medisafe vaccine refrigerator door(s) close automatically? Yes, all our purpose-built vaccine refrigerators are manufactured with hinged or spring doors that have the capability to close automatically.
If the doors are glass, are they constructed of double-glaze, non-condensing clear safety glass? Yes, our glass vaccine fridge doors are double glazed to assist in the insulation of the cabinet and effectively reduce condensation on the door.
Even though double-glazed, do the glass doors allow light into the refrigerator? Yes
Does the refrigerator have an external light switch suitably identified and fitted in an accessible location so products can be identified before opening the door? Yes
Can the vaccine fridge light be turned off if it is not wanted? Yes
Are the medisafe vaccine fridge shelves able to be removed easily and resist hypochlorite and other recommended cleaning solutions? Yes, the shelving is easily removed and the polyester coating on the shelves adds resistance to basic cleaning solutions.
Can extra shelves be purchased for the Medisafe vaccine fridges? If so what is the approximate cost? Yes, $45.00 per shelf.
Are the vaccine fridges surfaces smooth and durable, with minimal projections and easy to clean grooves? Yes
Does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator have an access port or contacts to accommodate external monitoring of the refrigerator cabinet temperature to be continually monitored via a remote system/data logger? (Note: An access port is a sealed small hole that will enable a probe to be installed without drilling. This also avoids having cables running under door seals which increase the wear on the seals. The contacts enable connection to electrical devices such as loggers without drilling new holes. This may be important if the practice is planning to use auto dialer.)
Not needed as ports already in unit.
If there is a small quantity of vaccine is to be stored in the vaccine fridge, do water bottles or ice packs/gel packs need to be added to empty space to add thermal mass? No
Within the Medisafe fridge can vaccines in their packaging in enclosed containers? For example Tupperware, polystyrene containers, solid plastic open container or trays with air flow.
Medisafe vaccine fridges feature Trays with air flow.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia do not recommend this in their QCPP standards. The thermal mass of the containers can distort the temperatures both internally and externally. Product is best stored in trays that allow full air circulation in any purpose built vaccine fridge.
Can vaccines be stored on the floor of the Medisafe refrigerator? No.
Can vaccines be stored next to the sides and back of the Medisafe refrigerator? Vaccines can be stored next to the sides, but must be kept 50mm from the back wall for air flow.
Can you guarentee that the Medisafe Vaccine refrigerator will not go outside 2-8°C in normal conditions? Yes, but what is normal conditions?
The management of the stock and how people handle the fridge is critical and
has a huge bearing on what happens within the fridge.
However, if the fridge is placed in a position that allows for adequate [correct]
air ventilation, product is stored as required, the door is only opened for short
periods with staff checking that the doors are closed firmly after use, if staff
check that the power plug is firmly in place, [if the cleaners do not remove the
plug to do the vacuuming at night], if the practice don’t use multi plugs
extension leads etc, if the unit has a power surge protector and if the local
power authority guarantees good consistent power flow and we were somehow
able to stop electrical storms occurring then temperatures should be maintained
at correct levels!
How long will the Medisafe vaccine refigerator temperature be maintained in the event of a power blackout at an ambient temperature of +25°C? It’s hard to say because it depends on a number of points.
1. How much stock is in the cabinet (the more stock the longer it will hold
temperature).
2. The ambient temperature in the area the unit is being kept (the higher the
temperature the shorter the time it will hold temperature).
3. If the unit temperature was at 7°C when the power failed it would not take
long for it to go over 8°C but if temperature was 3°C it would hold within
range for a lot longer.
Will the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator tolerate environmental air temperature fluctuations from 0°C (or even –3°C) to 42°C? Yes
Does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator have a display of the cabinet air temperature independent of the chart/temperature recorder that is visible at all times? Yes
Does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator have a built-in chart/temperature recorder (automatic recording device), with battery backup to automatically record the refrigerator temperature? Yes, computer data logger.
Describe the process of obtaining the most accurate minimum and maximum temperatures from the medisafe vaccine refrigerator? Install a data logger
Does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator continue to display the current temperature even during a power failure? Yes, via battery back up.
In the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator the temperature monitoring device runs on battery, how is the battery changed? Yes, via minor disassembly
Are the temperature chart recorder sensors in the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator easily accessible and tolerate movement to allow manual checks for yearly calibration verification? Yes.
Does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator indicate if the temperatures have been out of range even after it returns to the correct temperature range? Yes, the Hi and Low feature will identify visually and the data logger will identify times out of parameter.
Does the temperature probe in the Medisafe vaccine refigerator have an appropriate temperature lagging device? Yes.
(Note: When a substance is heated on one side, it takes time for the heat to travel through the
substance. This time is called heat lag. Lagging is the process of using specific materials and
thickness of materials so that heat lag takes a certain time. Temperature probes may be lagged so
they don’t respond to short term fluctuations, for example when the refrigerator door is open.)
On installation is the alarm set to alert at air temperature or the lagged temperature? Air temperature.
In the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator does the customer need to request what the alarm is linked to (that is air temperature or lagged temperature)? No.
In the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator, if the refrigerator door is ajar is there an alarm/indicator? Yes, but only when the temperature rises.
In the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator, is there a High/Low temperature alarm test facility to allow staff or a service technician to automatically test the alarm sensors and alarms? Yes, but for service technicians only.
In the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator, if there is a power failure, is there an audible alarm and/or option for notification to an off-site facility/contact? Yes, via an auto-dialler function.
Is there an alarm feature if the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator goes outside the +2°C to +8°C range and/or an option for notification to an offsite facility/contact? Yes, via an auto-dialler function.
What quality standards does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator and the manufacturer meet? QCPP* and MEPS^
*QCPP = Quality Care Pharmacy Program by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
(http://beta.guild.org.au/qcpp/refrigerators.asp).
^MEPS = Minimum Energy Performance Standards which relate to household electrical appliances
(http://www.energyrating.gov.au/rf1.html).
Is the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator tested in-house prior to delivery? Yes.
Is suitable on-site training available for users at the time of installation of the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator? Yes.
Does installation of the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator include the devices or systems that require assembly on-site, for example the data logger? Yes.
Is the customer able to obtain service/maintenance for the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator if in a remote area? Yes.
Is the customer able to negotiate a service/maintenance contract for the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator? Yes.
How often is calibration of the Medisafe vaccine refigerator recommended? 12 monthly.
Does the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator have to be moved or taken away for servicing? Invariable, but possibly depending on circumstances.
Does the warranty for the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator include installation? No, Quirks recommend installation by a technician.
Does the warranty for the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator cover defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of acceptance of the equipment? Yes, 12 months parts and 3 months labour.
What are the service charges for the Medisafe vaccine refrigerator outside thje warranty period? $75.00 call out (plus GST). $75.00 per hour + parts (plus GST). 7am-6pm
Monday to Friday.
Why purchase Quirks Medisafe purpose built vaccine fridge Data logging has continued to demonstrated that domestic fridges often do not comply with the recommended 2-8°C temperature range for optimal vaccine storage. In order not to compromise on vaccine storage Medshop recommends using a vaccine fridge approved by the QCPP Quality Care Pharmacy Program by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
Benefits of storing vaccines in a purpose-built vaccine fridge:
• The Medisafe vaccine fridges are programmed to operate between 2 - 8 °C therefore vaccines are stored in optimal conditions.
• Less chance of “cold chain failure”.
• The uniform cabinet temperature allowing storage on all shelves (unlike domestic ridges where only the upper and middle shelves are suitable)
• Many models have glass doors allowing easy viewing of vaccines and shorter door opening times
• External temperature display with minimum and maximum features
• Alarms when minimum or maximum temperatures are breached
• Built in data loggers for continuous monitoring
• Automatic defrost
• Optional lockable door
|
