by Nazihah
Ensuring Optimal Performance and Safety
Medical grade refrigerators in medical facilities and research centres are intended for long term and reliable storage. This is due to the fact that substances in these facilities may be at risk if you fail to perform regular maintenance and are not able to follow the best practices as
it could result in inferior medical refrigeration and lab freezer performance, causing
irreversible damage to the medications or materials.
Here are useful tips that can be practiced for the cleanliness of your refrigerator:
1. STORE ONLY MEDICAL INVENTORY
You can store drugs, reagents, vaccines, biological products, and valuable materials. Avoid occupying the laboratory refrigerator with food, drinks, and personal belongings.
2. PERFORM REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Make sure the unit is always neat, and don’t forget to unplug the refrigerator before conducting the maintenance process. The maintenance tasks includes:
– Cleaning (everyday)- use soft cloth, warm water and neutral cleaning agent (Avoid using bleaching product)
– Disinfect (weekly)- use 500 mg/L Chlorine
– Defrost (monthly)- record the thickness of the frost
3. UTILIZE REFRIGERATOR BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS
– To forestall power outage in a medical-grade refrigerator.
– This system allows greater and flexible runtime.
4. ENSURE ALL ALARMS ARE WORKING
Jot down when an alert is being mute and notify the workers to be more cautious and alert of the situation.
5. MANAGE INTERIOR CABINET SPACE
– Stock the samples properly to improve airflow and maintain consistent temperature.
– Users must place the medicines in the interior cabinet and keep detailed inventory log of them.
6. CREATE A DEFROSTING PLAN
– Due to frequent door opening, frost will appear, and users should scrape it from the inner door and seal using an ice scraper. Ice picks should be avoided during this process.
– Create a checklist with date near each unit for cleaning routine.
7. INSTALL A TEMPERATURE DATA LOGGER
– Utilize the digital data logger to record the minimum and maximum temperatures at the beginning and end of work.
– Digital data loggers usually come with an alarm system that will notify the users if there is a temperature excursion.
8. PAY ATTENTION TO LEAK DETECTION
The leaking can increase the overall operating cost of the refrigerator since an undercharge of refrigerant can cause unexpected compressor breakdown.
By following these maintenance tips and regularly monitoring the refrigerator’s temperature, cleaning, and organization, you can extend its lifespan, prevent breakdowns, and safeguard the integrity of medical supplies. Remember, a well-maintained medical refrigerator contributes to the overall efficiency and reliability of healthcare facilities, ultimately benefiting patient care and safety.
