alarm probe solution

[Mabel Adams]

Back in the day, alarm probes and thermometers in blood fridges were always placed in 10% glycerol. I seem to remember reading that this was no longer considered necessary.

What solutions are being used and why. Is anyone adding anything to keep down the growth of microbes?

[Lcsmrz]

The purpose of the glycerol was to mimic the warming of a unit of packed cells, since it had the same heat-transfer properties. Any solution that warms equal to or faster than that will work, too. I've seen places try to use water in refrigerators, but inevitably the alarm activates too frequently, such as every morning during inventory check and sometimes when just opening the door too frequently.

I use that blue stuff that comes with the device, but frankly, without looking at the MSDS, I have no idea what it is. There is no mention of changing it in the manuals, and I've never had a problem with any growth with it.

[Cathy]

We are still using 10% glycerol. We don't see growth in it very often. We just clean the conatiner and make up new solution.

[rcurrie]

We use DI water and change it monthly.

BC