The Importance of maintaining the temperature of the medicines.
All medicines marked ‘store in a refrigerator’ must be stored in a medicine fridge between 2°C to 8°C (02°C to 08°C). If a deviation in temperature has occurred some medicines may be fine to continue using, some require shorter expiry dates, some medicines have to be discarded and a new supply issued.
Medications that are not refrigerator items must be stored below 25°C. If the Clinic Room temperature exceeds 25°C for longer than 8 hours, discuss the expiry date of non-refrigerated items with your Pharmacist.
It is essential that if a deviation occurs that an assessment should be made using this document and all deviations and resolution notes must be recorded. This is to ensure that all medications in the Care Home are stored correctly and can be administered safely and effectively.
Delivery and receipt of refrigerated medicines
On delivery to the Residential / Dementia / Nursing Unit refrigerated medicines will be brought to the attention of the Senior Nurse and must be signed for, and immediately unpacked and placed in the medicine fridge. Refrigerated medicines must NOT be left at room temperature. The medicine fridge must be locked at all times.
General Medicine Fridge Housekeeping
The medicine fridge must not be overcrowded or overstocked, good airflow is required to maintain the fridge temperature and the temperature of the medicines. Medicines must not be stored in solid plastic trays/ boxes in medicine fridges.
Vaccines Immunisation is a highly effective way of protecting individuals and communities from infectious disease. However, to remain potent, vaccines must be stored within the temperature range recommended by manufacturers (2°C to 8°C, this is the same as 02°C and 08°C). Incorrect storage of vaccines is not only wasteful and costly to the RBL, but the failure also to store vaccines correctly, particularly at temperatures below the manufacturer's recommendations, can reduce vaccine effectiveness and cause vaccine failure. Freezing may also cause hairline cracks in the container, leading to contamination of the contents.
Temperature Logger
Each medicine fridge has a temperature monitor. This can monitor ambient temperatures and fridge temperatures depending on the area.
Each logger will send a real time temperature reading, via WI-FI, to an online dashboard which can be found by logging into this site. When a temperature deviation occurs, an alert will be sent via text and/or email to key staff who have responsibility for the medicine in each unit of the Care Home, this will be the Senior Nurse on duty. Maintenace Teams, who will arrange any necessary repairs, and the Care Home Management Team will also be informed.
If an alarm triggers, and the problem cannot be easily resolved (please refer to the trouble shooting menu) the Senior Nurse must ensure that fridge medication is transferred to an alternative medicine fridge and the Maintenance Team is informed.