Pharmaceutical-graded refrigerators are different from domestic refrigerators. Freezers and refrigerators used in medical facilities have different purposes. These usually store valuable biomedical materials, drugs, tissue, and serums. The items are temperature sensitive and can become invalid if kept under conditions that do not provide temperature control.
The Covid-19 pandemic and mass vaccination efforts worldwide have also brought the vaccination fridge, as the refrigerators are used to store and refrigerate vaccines properly. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and jurisdictions at several levels have developed guidance on the proper storage of vaccines.
Here are some of the benefits of using pharmaceutical refrigerators for medical facilities.
What Are Medical Refrigerators and Freezers?
Several features set medical refrigerators apart from regular refrigerators. So, before finding out the benefits of a medical refrigerator, you should understand what it is.
Pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators, unlike household refrigerators, contain a microprocessor-based system that provides precise temperature measurements and displays the live temperature.
Digital sensors keep track of the temperature inside, and an alarm goes off immediately if an abnormal temperature is recorded–a feature not available in domestic appliances. The refrigerators also come with audible and visual high and low-temperature alarms.
Since pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators contain glass doors, they allow healthcare workers to check the necessary items before opening the door. This maintains the temperature of the unit.
Why Do Healthcare Facilities Use Medical-Grade Refrigerators?
Medical-grade refrigerators are purposefully built to store drugs, serums, tissues, and biomedical materials. The benefits that these refrigerators provide include the following:
1. Reliable Cold Chain for Biologics
Healthcare providers must store biological samples like blood transfusions, tissue, and other samples in a proper temperature-controlled storage area. Hence, they use medical-grade refrigerators in the facilities.
The effectiveness of the samples is reduced if they have been stored at too high or too low a temperature. The refrigerator acts as a ‘cold chain’ since medical-grade refrigerators are equipped with systems to control temperature. Even during transportation, the materials retain the proper temperature.
2. Correct Temperature Monitoring
Medical-grade refrigerators maintain the temperature set by the manufacturer to control the temperature of the medicine or the materials stored. They can become ineffective if the temperature is changed frequently.
There are refrigerators that come with digital data loggers that monitor the temperature at given intervals. This allows temperature monitoring, so technicians can track the temperature without opening the doors.
3. Prevents Unauthorised Access
Most refrigerators have door locks that provide security for high-value equipment, confidential drugs, or vaccines. Only those with the password or code can access the items.
Also, the refrigerators come equipped with an alarm system. The alarms will go off if the temperature suddenly drops or rises to a certain point. This will notify everyone immediately.
Choosing Freezers for the Healthcare Industry
Pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators and freezers provide exceptional benefits to healthcare professionals. Healthcare facilities require a high-quality refrigerator. Whether you want to store vaccines or serums or keep your medical supplies safe, a temperature-controlled refrigerator that serves all your needs is ideal.
While choosing freezing units, always look for manufacturers who produce state-of-the-art equipment that complies with all government regulations. Choose companies that offer comprehensive options when looking for a vaccination fridge, freezer, and a small-capacity refrigerator of different models. Most of the latest models offer features like temperature stability and uniformity, display, security and alarms, and configurations.
