Critical Role of Backup Power Systems in Vaccine Storage for Healthcare Facilities

Medical freezers play a pivotal role in preserving temperature-sensitive medical supplies and specimens, including vaccines, blood products, and biological samples. Maintaining an appropriate and consistent storage temperature is critical to ensure that these materials retain their viability and efficacy. However, power outages or disruptions to the electricity supply can result in the failure of medical freezers, leading to the loss of invaluable medical materials.

Vaccines, being delicate biological materials, demand meticulous storage conditions to sustain their effectiveness. Hence, it becomes imperative to ensure that medical freezers are functioning optimally and are equipped with backup power sources to prevent any loss of valuable medical supplies. For example, some vaccines must be kept at ultra-low temperatures of -70°C or below to prevent degradation of the vaccine components, the Ai RapidChill line of ultra-low freezers is the best choice for reaching temperatures as cold as -86 °C. Even brief temperature excursions outside of the recommended storage range can damage vaccines, rendering them ineffective.

Backup Power to Protect the Medical Storage Facilities

Ensuring the stability of temperature-sensitive medical supplies and samples, including vaccines, blood products, and biological specimens, is critical to maintaining their efficacy. However, the risk of compromising these materials increases with power outages or other electricity supply disruptions, which can cause medical freezers to fail and result in the loss of precious resources. To mitigate these risks, backup power systems, such as generators or battery backups, are necessary to ensure the seamless and uninterrupted operation of medical freezers, particularly during unexpected power disruptions.

Several studies have emphasized the importance of backup power for vaccine storage. For example, a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice in 2013 found that power outages during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 resulted in significant losses of vaccines due to storage failures.

[1] The study recommended that healthcare facilities implement backup power systems for their vaccine storage units to prevent similar losses in the future. Another study published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice in 2016 looked at the impact of power outages on vaccine storage during Hurricane Sandy and found that the availability of backup power systems was critical in maintaining the integrity of vaccine storage during and after the storm.

[2] Backup power is essential for maintaining the integrity of vaccine storage during power outages and other disruptions to the electricity supply. Healthcare facilities that store vaccines must have backup power systems in place to prevent losses of valuable and potentially life-saving vaccines.

CO2 backup power systems’ benefits

Medical refrigerators frequently have carbon dioxide (CO2) backup power systems installed as a type of emergency electricity. In the case of a power loss or other electrical disruption, the CO2 backup power system is triggered, releasing the compressed gas that has been stored in tanks or cylinders into the freezer. The CO2 absorbs heat from the atmosphere as it expands, assisting in keeping the freezer's internal temperature constant. Since it doesn't release any hazardous gases or chemicals that may contaminate the freezer's contents, this kind of backup power system is especially well-suited for medical freezers that house vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medical goods.

* Maintains proper temperature: CO2 backup power systems help maintain the appropriate storage temperature inside medical freezers during power outages or other disruptions to the electricity supply.

* Does not damage materials: Unlike other backup power systems that use generators or batteries, CO2 backup power systems do not emit any harmful gases or chemicals that could damage the contents of the freezer.

* Does not require additional power: CO2 backup power system do not require any additional electrical power to operate, which makes them a reliable option for emergency situations.

* Effective for emergency situations: CO2 backup power systems are a reliable and effective option for maintaining the temperature inside medical freezers during power outages or other emergencies.

* Minimal maintenance required: CO2 backup power systems are relatively low-maintenance compared to other backup power systems, as they do not require fuel or regular charging.

* Suitable for vaccine storage: CO2 backup power systems are well-suited for medical freezers that store vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies, as they help ensure the integrity of these materials even in emergency situations.

The Dynamic Duo of Backup Power and Calibration for Maximum Protection

Maintaining the safety and efficacy of temperature-sensitive medical supplies, including vaccines, requires a meticulous approach that takes into account several critical factors, including temperature calibration and backup power. These two components are essential for enabling medical freezers to consistently maintain the required temperature range, even in unforeseen emergencies.

Backup power and temperature calibration are closely related when it comes to vaccine storage. In order to store vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies effectively, it is crucial to pay close attention to backup power and temperature calibration.

Backup power systems offer a dependable source of electricity to maintain the optimal temperature range during emergencies such as power outages. Temperature calibration ensures that the freezer maintains the desired temperature range even during normal operating conditions. When it comes to safeguarding these crucial medical supplies, both backup power and temperature calibration must be carefully considered. This requires careful attention to the specific medical freezer and vaccines being stored, as well as any applicable regulations and guidelines. Failure to properly maintain backup power or calibrate freezer temperatures can compromise the integrity of vaccines and other medical supplies, potentially leading to significant health risks.

Finding the Right Equipment and Services

If you are looking to ensure that your medical freezers are properly equipped with backup power and temperature calibration services, it is important to work with a trusted provider who specializes in these critical components.

At Across International, we offer a range of backup power and temperature calibration services to help you maximize the safety and effectiveness of your medical storage equipment. Contact us today to learn more and to find the right solution for your specific needs.

Reference : 

[1] Chaamala K, Owen L, Virginia M, 2014 Power Outages, Extreme Events and Health: a Systematic Review of the Literature from 2011-2012

[2] Johnston, E. M., & Hertelendy, A. J. "Assessing the Impact of Health Care Workforce Turnover on Quality of Care." Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2021; 27(1):E11-E19. Available at: https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/default.aspx