Widespread Vaccine Storage Negligence Comes to National Attention
As Recently Reported on Good Morning America
CHESTERLAND OH - A recent segment on Good Morning America featured at gma.yahoo.com/doctors-improperly-storing-vaccines-192330733--abc-news-topstories.html presents startling proof of widespread negligence in vaccine storage: "An investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) found that many providers of immunizations meant for low-income children don't store the vaccines at proper temperatures, potentially rendering them ineffective and placing children at risk for contracting serious diseases." In light of this and similar findings, medical institutions across the country are increasingly turning to automated temperature monitoring to safeguard their extremely sensitive vaccine inventories, and CAS DataLoggers has the ideal solution with its Accsense data logging systems. Designed for critical medical monitoring applications, Accsense wired and wireless systems offer hospitals and pharmacies cloud-based real time monitoring backed up by phone, text and email messaging to alert staffers the moment that vaccines go out of specification.
As detailed on Good Morning America, health inspectors visited the offices of 45 vaccine providers in 5 states offering free immunizations, only to find that over 75% of the providers stored the vaccines at unacceptable temperatures. 1 out of 4 providers investigated carried expired vaccines. Most surprisingly, not a single one of the providers were found to have properly managed their vaccines according to VFC program requirements--in fact, Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, commented: "This is a warning sign that we can't take that for granted, and we need to improve the weak spots in the system."
Recently, Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services chose CAS DataLoggers to provide the automated temperature monitoring solution for its statewide immunization program and help prevent exactly these kinds of scenario. The program's 26 remote public health clinics handled vaccine storage and dispensation as part of a program for childhood and adolescent vaccine-preventable disease control and prevention. Most of the clinics contained at least one medical refrigerator and freezer, with some locations needing additional monitoring points, all of which needed to store the critical vaccine supply at a strict temperature constant of 35°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
CAS DataLoggers provided their automated monitoring solution consisting of 30 Accsense A2-05 Ethernet Wired Temperature Measurement Pods, connected to medical refrigerators and freezers to provide automated monitoring for every unit in the clinics. All regulatory concerns previously caused by manual temperature checking were immediately made obsolete, and the Accsense system's advanced alarm features automatically sent out phone, text, and email warnings whenever vaccine temperatures suddenly went out of specification. Additionally, users could login using any Web browser to retrieve reports and graphs, or modify the system's configuration from anywhere Internet connection was available. All data was securely encrypted for full compliance with HIPAA privacy laws, and the system's high accuracy measurement and turn-key operation greatly simplified the storage process--staff just plugged in the pods and let them run.
Alaska's DHSS Accsense installation now provides state-of-the-art medical monitoring of all vaccines in inventory and entirely replaced the clinics' outdated alarm systems, increasing safety measures and decreasing staff response times in cases of sudden temperature deviations. Each monitor included a power adapter and Ethernet cables, supporting power over Ethernet for a lower cost and easier maintenance compared to traditional wiring, and personnel soon became familiar with every aspect of the system's operation. CAS DataLoggers also gave free tech support to the program as it got up and running with its new monitoring and alarming technology.
CAS DataLoggers has also provided monitoring solutions for other demanding clients including the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, New York Hospital Queens, the Smithsonian Institute, and the US Navy Medical Center, among many others.
For more information on Accsense wired and wireless monitoring systems, other automated datalogging systems, or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS Data Logger Applications Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit the website at www.DataLoggerInc.com.
Contact Information:
CAS DataLoggers, Inc.
12628 Chillicothe Road
Chesterland, Ohio 44026
(440) 729-2570
(800) 956-4437
sales@dataloggerinc.com
http://www.dataloggerinc.com
