Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Thermometer for refrigerators and freezers

Anyone have source for recording thermometers for fridges and freezers ? State says I cannot look and record daily - must buy and maintain one that records. Trying not to break bank......

We just purchased a refrigerator only unit through Sam's. It has to be a stand alone unit, not a combined fridge/freezer. Also it may be different in Washington, but we were able to qualify for a continuous monitor through the state because of the % of medicaid patients that we run through the office.

This is why we did this--and Steven there are some links in the article that may help.
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/...onal-issues/20121105refrig-guidance.html

Steven,
I buy most vaccine directly from Sanofi. Our Sanofi rep supplied me with a continuous temperature monitor. It is a glycol filled bottle with a thin wire that runs to the outside of the refigerator where the digital display is mounted. It continuously monitors and has high/low alarms. I don't know that you can print a log, but it does store history. So, you might check with your vaccine supplier to see if they offer such.

Steven,
Our practice is located in Texas. We store and administer state vaccines. I'm not sure what the exact wording of the Texas requirement is for the thermometer, but our setup puts us in compliance. We have the same setup as Donna: fluid filled bottles with wires that run to an external digital thermometer with continuous output and high/low alarms.

We found out about these thermometers through the Texas Vaccines For Children (TFVC) program. I think you should ask your state vaccine agency how other practices comply.

Mario.

It was through the VFC program--vaccine for children that provided the thermometer --just wanted to make that correction--

We have had a series of planned and unplanned power outages in our office, and we have some expensive meds in the refrigerator. If the power has gone off over night or over the weekend, we now realize the value of a recording thermometer. Otherwise we have no way to be sure of the potency of the medications.
Would any of you be willing to post the brand and model number of your devices?

Jon,

The VFC6000 LCD, one for the fridge and one for the freezer, and then a record of the temps sent to the state each month electronically. Although this recorder/thermometer will be updated in the next month.

However, one concern that has been swimming around in my head, which is a another issue is getting a natural gas powered generator for emergency backup.

For instance our office with 9 docs loses power for 3-4 hour straight, the lost charges will more than pay for a generator. Or if one has remicade and other expensive meds, it may be cheaper to get a generator than lose the meds/vaccines.

There is a website VFCDataloggers.com