Temperature monitoring systems can be and are used in many places, but in some cases they are only minor gadgets - useful, but not vital. This is quite different in Medicine, especially when vaccine or medicine storage is involved. Most vaccines have to be stored in freezers and refrigerators and must have temperature alarms systems installed. Why is that? Aren't the standard sets of thermometers enough?
In most cases, the answer is "no". There are two main reasons why temperature alarms and monitoring systems are necessary. One reason is purely bureaucratic, but the other is utterly practical.
First, it is more than common that temperature-monitoring systems are installed because of various federal or state regulations. They dictate installation of temperature alarms systems in refrigerators and freezers where certain medical products are stored. In some cases regulations can require documenting the storage temperature, so memory functions (or chart recorders) will be necessary additions to all temperature monitoring systems you might have.
The second reason is much simpler, yet at least as important as the first one - temperature alarms systems make sure that you will know about any possible problems or freezers' breakdowns as soon as they happen. This insures that the inventory stored is protected. If the temperature should fluctuate you need to be immediately notified so that it can be corrected. Too high or too low temperature can render some medicines and vaccines unusable and even dangerous to the recipient.
A good temperature alarm system will not only alert you if temperatures move outside the safe range but will also provide a temperature history chart so that you can properly trouble-shoot the problem.
About the Author
Rick Kaestner is the President and CEO of Two Dimensional Instruments; the worldwide leader in providing technology to monitor, measure, record and document temperature and humidity. For more information please visit their website at http://www.e2di.com