Why A Medical Fridge Needs To Be Serviced

Healthcare professionals rely on medical fridges to keep medicines, vaccines and biological samples at temperature control of 2°C – 8°C which is why regular servicing is important. The integrity of these medications and samples is reliant on the cold chain storage guidelines to maintain effectiveness and prevent degradation. In this article, we will explain what a medical fridge is, why it needs to be serviced and what is involved with medical fridge servicing.

What is a Medical Fridge?

Medical fridges are refrigerators that are specifically designed for storing temperature sensitive medications, vaccines and biological samples. These purpose built fridges are crucial in healthcare settings like pharmacies, clinics and hospitals as they help ensure the safety and efficacy of medications and biological products. These fridges are designed with advanced features like temperature monitoring alarms and precise temperature control to ensure compliance with the cold chain guidelines as set out by the Department of Health.

Why Are Medical Fridges Important?

Medical fridges are important as they ensure that medicines, vaccines and biological samples are stored at the correct temperature to keep them viable. Exposure to temperatures outside the strict temperature range can make medical products ineffective and, in some cases, dangerous. Medications, vaccines and biological samples are all temperature sensitive and need to be stored between the range of 2°C and 8°C, which is known as the cold chain. Domestic fridges do not have this kind of strict temperature control which is why specifically designed medical fridges must be used in healthcare settings. If a medical fridge falls outside the strict temperature guidelines of the cold chain, it is known as a cold chain breach and must be immediately reported. Medicines, vaccines and biological samples not stored in the safety of a medical fridge may be subjected to higher temperatures which will render them unusable if exposed for more than 20 minutes.

What is Medical Fridge Servicing?

Medical fridge servicing involves the maintenance, repair and calibration of medical refrigerators. It is essential for medical fridges to be serviced on a regular basis to maintain the cold chain. The main aspects of medical fridge servicing include servicing and calibration which help keep ahead of any potential issues that may cause the medical fridge to not work at its optimum capability. Servicing refers to the preventative maintenance and repairs while calibration verifies and adjusts the medical fridge’s temperature settings.

Servicing

To service a medical fridge, a technician will perform tasks like cleaning fans and motors and checking door seals and hardware. Regular servicing will help identify and prevent potential issues, and ensure the medical fridge is able to store temperature sensitive medical products in a safe and efficient manner. Here is a rundown of a basic medical fridge service.

• Cleaning and maintenance: The initial stage of servicing involves cleaning and maintenance of the fans and motors. Cooling fans will be cleaned and checked that they are working efficiently, both inside and outside the fridge. The technician will make sure they are free from dust and debris so as not to contaminate the stored items. Fan blades will be cleaned with a damp cloth. The compressor motor and coils will then be cleaned and checked to make sure there is no residue built up and that insulated copper tubing is still intact and hasn’t fallen off. Lastly the door seals and hardware like hinges will be checked to make sure they are operating properly. Hinges will be tested to ensure they open and close the door seamlessly, and door seals will be checked to make sure it sits properly against the body of the unit.
• Electrical checks: The technician will then perform electrical checks to make sure plugs and power chords are not broken, twisted or burnt. All wires will be checked to ensure they are secure and still have ample insulation with no conductors exposed.
• Repairs: If any issues are discovered during the service, repairs can be made. Sometimes this may involve replacing parts that have broken like door seals, or fixing any electrical problems like faulty wiring.

Calibration

Calibration is a critical part of the maintenance and servicing to ensure the medical fridge does its job accurately and efficiently. Calibration is focused on ensuring the temperature range is falling within the necessary parameters of 2°C and 8°C to meet cold chain guidelines. Calibration of a medical fridge involves a number of guidelines and procedures:

• Adhere to standard AS 3864.2: It must adhere to standards like AS 3864.2, the Australian Standard that specifies user-related requirements for the care, maintenance, performance verification, and calibration of medical refrigeration equipment. Exposures to temperatures outside the recommended range are a cold chain breach and may render the medical supplies ineffective or unsafe.
• Use calibrated thermometer: A calibrated thermometer or temperature probe is used to measure the temperature at various points in the fridge and compare the readings to the temperature display on the outside of the fridge. If there are any discrepancies, the temperature needs to be adjusted to ensure accurate temperature readings. This calibration process ensures healthcare providers that the medical fridge is working at precise temperature parameters to store temperature sensitive medications and biological samples.

Who Services Medical Fridges?

Medical refrigerators are more complex than domestic fridges and need professionals with specialised knowledge of the equipment to service them. While some basic maintenance and temperature checks can be done DIY, repairs and servicing must be carried out by a qualified technician to ensure the medical fridge meets the high temperature control standards. Medical fridges need servicing and calibration by a professional technician once a year unless there are signs of problems in between that time. If issues arise, contact a medical fridge technician immediately to avoid the issue escalating further.

Signs a Medical Fridge Needs Servicing

There are obvious signs when a medical fridge needs servicing like the temperature has become inconsistent or not falling within a specific temperature range of 2°C and 8°C. Signs a medical fridge needs attention include:

• Temperature fluctuation: Medical fridges need daily minimum and maximum temperature readings and, if these readings begin to fluctuate or, worse, go outside the specific temperature range, this is a significant indication that the fridge may not be working and needs servicing. It is imperative that medical products be kept safe and viable by being stored within strict temperature parameters.
• Condensation: Condensation on the door of a medical fridge can be an indication that there are temperature control problems, issues with door seals or humidity. Servicing is essential to identify if seals need to be replaced, temperature adjusted or humidity addressed.
• Unusual noises: Unusual noises coming from a medical fridge could be an indication of a mechanical issue which may impede temperature control ability. Potential issues from a medical fridge making noises could include loose components, a refrigerant leak or failing motor. Any unusual noises should be checked by a professional to make sure it is not a serious problem that could impact temperature sensitive medical products.
• Visible wear and tear: When a medical fridge door has cracks or it is obvious that the seals are loose, these are visible signs it needs attention. Medical fridges with visible wear and tear can be cosmetic but can also be an indication it is not able to function effectively. Organise a service to address any obvious issues.

Reasons Medical Fridges Need Servicing

Medical fridges need regular servicing to ensure they are still operating within the strict temperature guidelines for temperature sensitive medication, vaccines and biological samples. Given a purpose built medical refrigerator is a precision medical instrument, it requires regular preventative maintenance and calibration to ensure that it can perform its job well. We explain the plethora of reasons a medical fridge needs servicing here:

• Ensure temperature accuracy: Medical fridges must maintain a specific temperature range of between 2°C and 8°C to ensure the potency and stability of certain medications and biological products. Regular servicing and calibration by a specialised technician ensures the fridge is working properly with correct temperature accuracy and meeting cold chain storage requirements.
• Preventative maintenance: Regular servicing helps prevent any major issues from occurring with the medical fridge. This proactive approach will ensure any issues with wear and tear, equipment malfunction or potential breakdown will be identified and addressed before they become an issue.
• Electrical safety: Servicing includes checking the safety of electrical components of a medical fridge. Any issues will be addressed before they become a safety concern.
• Efficiency: A regularly serviced medical fridge is a way to monitor how efficient the storage system is for temperature sensitive medicines, vaccines and biological samples. By monitoring the medical fridge, these medications will be stored at optimum efficiency.
• Longevity: Like any equipment, medical fridges that are serviced regularly will work more efficiently and have better longevity.
• Prevent contamination: Regular servicing and cleaning prevents contamination and maintains a safe environment for stored medicines and medical products.
• Adhere to regulatory standards: Medical facilities and healthcare specialists are required to adhere to strict regulatory standards for the storage and handling of medications. When a medical fridge is serviced regularly, the facility is adhering to compliance with these regulatory standards.
• Cost efficiency: By regularly servicing a medical fridge and avoiding issues escalating, healthcare facilities are saving money on expensive repairs or replacing a medical fridge that has stopped working.

Best Practices for Medical Fridge Servicing and Maintenance

To maintain a medical fridge to meet cold chain requirements, these practices need to be followed in addition to regular servicing and calibration. Unlike regular servicing by professional medical fridge technicians, these best practices can be carried out by healthcare staff.

• Monitor temperature: Temperature must be monitored regularly to ensure medications, vaccines and biological samples are stored within the cold chain requirements. To do this, staff can check temperature manually with an approved thermometer or temperature sensor twice a day. The temperature is recorded to include the current, minimum and maximum temperature readings. Digital monitoring should be done with either a basic data logger or automatic cloud connected loggers. These collect temperature readings automatically on a regular basis.
• Regular cleaning to prevent contamination: Cleaning the medical fridge on a regular basis includes the interior and exterior to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Clean the outside and inside of the fridge with lukewarm water and mild detergent to maintain hygiene. Usually cleaning the fridge once a month will be sufficient. If there are spills inside the cabinet, clean them up immediately to prevent contamination. The condenser coils should be cleaned once a year to make sure the fridge is able to work at optimal performance and within strict temperature limits. Clean under the fridge as well to prevent any dust or debris buildup.
• Check door seals: Visibly inspect the door seals for wear and tear or cracks. Replace them if they are failing to maintain a proper seal. Check the door seals each time you clean the fridge to make sure they are working properly.
• Check electrical components: Regularly check the power cords and power connections to make sure there is no damage or issues. If there are any issues, contact a service technician or electrical expert to address as electrical issues should be handled by professionals.
• Ensure proper fridge placement: Correct placement of medical fridges is essential to ensure the contents are kept at the required temperature between 2°C and 8° C. Medical fridges must be placed in an area that protects them from the sunlight, avoids temperature fluctuations, and has appropriate ventilation.

Medical fridges need regular servicing to ensure the safety and efficacy of temperature sensitive medications, vaccines and biological samples. Understanding how to service and maintain a medical fridge, and who to contact to make sure a medical fridge is operating to its highest standards can be daunting. You can book your medical fridge servicing with EuroChill here.

In this article we have explained exactly what a medical fridge is, why it needs to be serviced and how to make sure your medical fridge is serviced correctly and meets regulatory standards. For further information contact the team at Vacc-Safe.