external alarm monitoring of freezer and refrigerator

[Sherie Bruns]

Do the Blood Bank refrigerator and freezer have to be externally monitored outside of the blood bank?  The lab is staffed 24/7 and able to respond to the freezer or refrigerator alarm.  Does security or the Emergency Department have to also externally monitor these alarms?  Are there any CAP or AABB standards, or does the FDA require this?  Just wondering since it seems to be redundant, and we have an older freezer which may be difficult to hook up.

[Kathyang]

The AABB Standards 3.7.3 just states that there is a process for immediate action, investigation, and appropriate corrective action.

[David Saikin]

As long as you are staffed 24/7 there is no requirement to also have external monitoring.