We've recently received a new blood product refrigerator.  It has the ability to perform the hi and low alarm checks electronically.  Is this an acceptable way to perfrom alarm checks for AABB/CAP requirements?  Or do you still check alarms using ice/water mixture to manually lower/raise temps for alarm checks?

I check the old-fashioned way once a year and electronically the other 3 quarters. No issues with CAP. The procedure also includes a comment that if there are any indications of a problem, then it gets checked with the ice bath.

We do the same as AMcCord.

I did a full validation when I received the refrigerators to prove that the electronic checks were accurate and have not had to do the ice/water since. We would certainly do it if there were any issues at all. But we also have wireless temperature monitoring with helps a lot. The reports show whenever there was an alarm activation and what the corrective action was.

Hi Terri:

 

Would you mind sharing your policy for wireless monitoring. I am piloting 2 sensors from sensoscientific and wanted to get some input. Thank you in advance.

 

-Miguel

_{We've recently received a new blood product refrigerator.  It has the ability to perform the hi and low alarm checks electronically.  Is this an acceptable way to perfrom alarm checks for AABB/CAP requirements?  Or do you still check alarms using ice/water mixture to manually lower/raise temps for alarm checks?}

 

_{I would check with the manufacturer.   Also, be sure to modify your SOP if you do this.   I once sited a facility because they were testing electronically but the SOP had not been updated.}  

Would anyone be willing to share a log sheet that they use for recording quarterly alarm activations, i.e. with the ice and the water.  I need to update mine as was looking for ideas.  Thanks in advance.

Just had an AABB assessment - her take on this subject was to follow the manufacturer's recommendations to the letter. If they say go one way or the other, go that way. If they give you options, then you can take your pick.

I tried to upload my form, but it says there is an error with the upload.  This happened the last time I tried it as well.  Has anyone else had any problems with uploading?

Maybe it just doesn't work in IE.  I am in Chrome now.

So here's our form:

QUARTERLY BB ALARM WORKSHEET.xlsxQUARTERLY BB ALARM WORKSHEET.xlsx