Hi,

Does anyone know if it's necessary to re-calibrate the timers used for patient testing? These are the 3 channel timers used to time incubations etc., not serofuges or centrifuges.

Thanks!

If they are digital - NO; if analog - YES

Hmm. We calibrate digital timers. We are under FDA, JC and AABB. We were doing it when I came here. It would be great to find out I don't have to. Our timers all come with an expiration sticker on the back.

Yes, if used for patient testing, timers should be checked according to facility defined schedule. AABB Std. 3.5.

we check our timer twice/year.

Analog timers need to be checked/calibrated due to the nature of the tech having to "turn the dial" to the correct time. The correct time needs to be evaluated and marked on the timer dial as it is usually NOT the spot routinely marked. Digital timers are based on the vibratory frequency of quartz - they do not need to be calibrated as it is a physical constant. I have been FDA licensed, AABB accreditted and never been cited for accepting digitzed timing (nor do I cite those with digital timers).

I do my digital timers quarterly. Yes, overkill probably. But I was cited for this by NY State many years ago. We use a stopwatch to check the timers. So the inspector asked "how do you check the stopwatch"? With another stopwatch. "How do you check that stopwatch?". So now I check my stopwatch online with the atomic clock. Now I wait for an inspector to tell me to go out West to calibrate that. {{{heavy sigh...when does the insanity end}}}

I do my digital timers quarterly. Yes, overkill probably. But I was cited for this by NY State many years ago. We use a stopwatch to check the timers. So the inspector asked "how do you check the stopwatch"? With another stopwatch. "How do you check that stopwatch?". So now I check my stopwatch online with the atomic clock. Now I wait for an inspector to tell me to go out West to calibrate that. {{{heavy sigh...when does the insanity end}}}

I understand where you are coming from - ad absurdam . . .

If you're CAP accredited, the reference is TRM.31900 Mechanical Timers. "Mechanical timers on serologic centrifuges, and the speed of the centrifuge, are checked for accuracy every 6 months." They removed the requirement for digital timers probably 4 years ago.

If they are digital - NO; if analog - YES

I agree. CAP says "mechanical timers" - which to me is the wind up kind.

Our traceable 3-channel alarm timer instructions say "Quartz crystal timing changes little, if any at all, but can be affected by shock, temperature, and aging. For those users with critical needs such as accreditation demands, government requirements, or ISO 9000 certification we recommend that the unit's accuracy be recertified on an annual basis." Because AABB std 3.5 says we have to do at a minimum what is required in the manufacturer's instructions, I guess we have to continue to calibrate them before use and annually. Or maybe we should buy timers from another company that doesn't have that requirement in their instructions.

Our 4-channel traceable digital timers comes with a calibration due date on the back and are good for 2 years. We just purchase new ones when the timer recalibration comes due. We had an FDA inspector site us for not reclaibrating at the due date.

We calibrate the 4 channel digital timers yearly. We use a timer still within the recal period as our "reference" timer.

We calibrate the 4 channel digital timers yearly. We use a timer still within the recal period as our "reference" timer.

same here....

If you're CAP accredited, the reference is TRM.31900 Mechanical Timers. "Mechanical timers on serologic centrifuges, and the speed of the centrifuge, are checked for accuracy every 6 months." They removed the requirement for digital timers probably 4 years ago.

Does anyone have an old copy of the CAP checklist laying around when the digital thermometers were listed? I want to reference it when I challenge a very recent deficiency against our digital timers that doesn't seem appropriate.

We use a 3 line timer that comes with a traceable certificate. Once it is expired, we just take out of service and buy new. It's not too expensive and much easier this way.