{"id":42169,"date":"2024-09-12T09:30:21","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/praxas.com\/can-we-make-medication-temperature-monitoring-within-healthcare-facilities-more-efficient\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T13:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T13:17:11","slug":"can-we-make-medication-temperature-monitoring-within-healthcare-facilities-more-efficient","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/praxas.com\/en\/can-we-make-medication-temperature-monitoring-within-healthcare-facilities-more-efficient\/","title":{"rendered":"Can we make medication temperature monitoring within healthcare facilities more efficient?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In healthcare facilities, the temperature of medication in refrigerators is often recorded manually.\nIn practice, this means that an employee of the institution goes through all refrigerators every day to check and record the temperature of the medication.\nThis data is then manually entered into the system.\nFor healthcare facilities with multiple locations, this is a cumbersome, time-consuming and therefore expensive process.\nPraxas believes this can be done more efficiently.\nIn this practical study, we show how healthcare facilities can greatly increase efficiency by digitally centralizing data. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Background of the practice case<\/h2>\n\n

Like many other institutions, the healthcare facility on which this case is based is responsible not only for the daily care of its residents, but also for administering medication.\nThe organization is located centrally in the country and there are 11 locations.\nThere is an attending physician attached to each location and the storage of medication is done per location.\nSometimes medication is transported from one of the locations to another.\nMuch attention is paid to monitoring and recording the temperature of medication to meet strict internal and external quality requirements. <\/p>\n\n

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Current practice by location<\/h2>\n\n

There are four refrigerators per location.\nAll refrigerators are equipped with a temperature logger<\/a> on the inside.\nThe temperature in the refrigerator must always be between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.\nA staff member checks the temperature in all refrigerators daily. <\/p>\n\n

\"Temperature<\/figure>\n\n
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Monitoring and recording the temperature in the refrigerators<\/h2>\n\n
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The employee compares the set temperature of the refrigerator with the data on the display of the temperature logger<\/a>.\nIf these values do not match, immediate action is taken.\nOnce a month, the temperature logger is connected to a PC via USB and the data is exported to Excel.\nThe employee records any temperature exceedances and describes the actions that were taken to ensure the quality of the medication. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

It is mandatory to record and keep the temperature data.\nDuring an audit, the employee must be present to hand over the log and provide explanations if requested. <\/p>\n\n

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Monitoring during transport of medication<\/h2>\n\n

In addition to monitoring and recording the temperature in the refrigerators on site, the employee is also responsible for recording temperatures during transport.\nThe thermobox used for transport also contains a temperature logger<\/a>.\nData from the logger is exported to Excel after transport.\nThis data must also be submitted during an audit. <\/p>\n\n

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Disadvantages of the current approach<\/h2>\n\n

Recording the temperature data of all refrigerators in all locations daily and exporting that data regularly are time-consuming operations.\nMoreover, a manual procedure is very error-prone. <\/p>\n\n

The hardware with built-in temperature sensor is very sensitive to ambient temperature.\nThis causes error messages that are irrelevant to stock quality.\nFor example, a sensor may respond to a heat flux when the refrigerator door is briefly opened.\nHowever, this does not mean that the temperature of the medication has risen to the same extent. <\/p>\n\n

There is a huge shortage of healthcare staff, therefore every minute that cannot be spent on a client is one minute too many.\nThe pandemic put extra pressure on healthcare workers since March 2020.\nActions such as logging temperature data were overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the hectic days. <\/p>\n\n

If the temperature is not adequately monitored, the efficacy of the medication may decrease during treatment.\nIn addition, there is an increased risk of medical complications if the medication was stored for an extended period of time in an environment that did not meet temperature requirements. <\/p>\n\n

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The request for help from the care facility<\/h2>\n\n

The healthcare facility asked Praxas for advice in implementing a central system that automatically monitors temperature at the 11 locations and takes action when values outside the set temperature limits are detected.<\/p>\n\n

This system must meet a number of prerequisites.\nIt must be easy to install, user-friendly and accessible to multiple employees.\nData must be stored in a well-organized database and manual operations must be kept to a minimum.\nThe system must be able to be used at both fixed and mobile locations, and it must make use of existing infrastructure.\nExpensive and time-consuming changes to the network are out of the question.\nA conclusive record must be able to be presented during an audit and the financial investment must remain within limits. <\/p>\n\n

This was a very comprehensive set of logical prerequisites.\nPraxas offered a solution that met all these conditions. <\/p>\n\n

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Central storage of temperature data<\/h2>\n\n
\"Cloud-connected<\/figure>
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Based on current shortcomings, requirements and boundary conditions, temperature loggers with a wifi module, sensor and glycol buffer were proposed.\nThe built-in wifi antenna can be very easily connected to any existing wifi network.\nThe external sensor with glycol buffer measures the core temperature of the medication, reducing the risk of erroneous readings.\nFor transports, a combination of a thermobox with a temperature logger<\/a> was recommended. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

The temperature logger<\/a> <\/a>communicates with an online platform.\nData are stored centrally in the cloud and no manual logging is required.\nTemperatures are displayed clearly, per temperature logger.\nAuthorized individuals are notified via an app or by email of any temperature exceedances.\nThey can add a note on the platform about the cause of the report, the steps taken to resolve the problem and the state of the medication. <\/p>\n\n

Because temperatures are recorded for each temperature logger, different locations can be compared.\nIn addition, one can see which refrigerators are not performing well and may need maintenance or replacement. <\/p>\n\n

The online platform<\/a> can be accessed by multiple people.\nIt is also possible to invite an auditor so that he or she has direct access to all data and can thus audit efficiently. <\/p>\n\n

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The result<\/h2>\n\n

The implementation of this solution has significantly increased the efficiency of the healthcare facility.\nThe number of manual operations performed by employees has been greatly reduced.\nThe central storage of data has minimized the risk of errors.\nThe result is a conclusive logbook that is always up-to-date.\nOnly authorized persons have access.\nEmployees spend much less time monitoring and recording temperature data.\nAs a result, this investment resulted in savings.\nMoreover, we did not even take into account the extra attention and care the patient receives as a result. <\/p>\n\n

Also watch the video here:<\/p>\n\n

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