The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program provides vaccines at no cost to children whose families may be unable to afford them. Since its implementation in 1994, the program has prevented over 508 million illnesses and saved over 1.1 million lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Program participants must rely on vaccine data loggers to maintain quality and safety in vaccine distribution.
The CDC recently issued more stringent requirements for storing vaccines in medical-grade refrigerators or freezers. VFC compliance now requires all refrigerators to be equipped with vaccine data loggers to record high and low temperatures as well as a local display for easy reading of current temperatures outside the unit.
VFC providers must adapt to these new regulations or risk losing thousands of dollars in wasted vaccines. To ensure VFC compliance to these mandates and safeguard vaccines, facilities should consider implementing cloud-based data loggers interfaced with a temperature display.
Continuously Recording Temperature Data
The CDC now requires all monitoring devices to be digital vaccine data loggers. This device interfaces with temperature sensors and records all temperature data for download at any time.
Accurate and reliable data records are critical to continually demonstrating compliance while providing insight into trends that can identify larger issues. For example, data could show that a refrigerator or freezer is not maintaining temperatures and starting to malfunction. Using this real-time information, you can take preventive action before equipment breaks down.
Maintaining Proper Vaccine Temperatures
Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial to ensuring vaccine potency and avoiding large financial losses. If vaccines are compromised while they are being stored at a doctor's office, hospital or clinic, the facility has to pay for the loss. They also face the risk of compromised patient health due to inactive vaccines. Digital data loggers notify you and send alarm notifications when:
- Temperatures fall outside of preset parameters
- A freezer or refrigerator alarm goes off
- A power outage occurs
With the new CDC requirements, VFC providers must check and record the unit’s minimum and maximum temperatures at the start of each workday. Digital data loggers automatically record this information, saving time and allowing you to focus more on your patients.
Without this device, you would need to check and record the minimum and maximum temperatures twice a day to ensure VFC compliance. In addition, you need to check and record the date, time, your name and any actions taken in the event of a temperature excursion. These activities entail significant time spent on maintaining up-to-date temperature records while being prone to human error.
Keeping Data Records Safe & Accessible
The CDC also recommends reviewing temperature readings every week and storing data for at least three years. Cloud-based systems automatically record temperatures at set time intervals and store data in the cloud for quick and easy access by authorized users. Some systems have a mobile app that allows viewing temperatures remotely from anywhere at any time, eliminating the hassle of manually checking and recording temperatures.
Digital vaccine data loggers help give you peace of mind and ensure continuous monitoring of critical vaccines. These systems can be customized to your medical facility’s specific requirements.
Local Temperature Display
Sensaphone's Refrigerator Temperature Sensor with Display helps meet VFC compliance for a local temperature display of readings outside of the refrigerator. The display provides a quick, at-a-glance reading of the current temperature as well as the minimum and maximum temperatures. Personnel no longer have to check the monitoring system's data logs.
In addition to providing readings, the sensor triggers an alarm when the temperature falls beyond a preset range, alerting onsite staff of a potential problem. The temperature sensor with the display can be used at any location where staff need a quick, at-a-glance reading of temperatures. It also functions as a data logger to demonstrate compliance.
The Refrigerator Temperature Sensor with Display
- Comes as a kit, including the display, a temperature probe in a buffered bottle, a plug-in power supply and a battery backup
- Continually monitors refrigerator temperature
- Clearly displays the temperature outside the refrigerator
- Logs and displays the programmed high and low temperatures
- Provides an onsite audible alarm for out-of-range temperatures
- Programmable to turn on a light or siren for additional onsite alarm notifications
Contact one of our experts today to learn more or find a solution that meets your exact needs.
