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We have all encountered power disruptions in our daily lives. Sometimes the government or the electrical department issues a power outage warning, and other times it occurs unexpectedly. Power outages are unavoidable and can occur for a variety of causes. 

Many pieces of equipment stop working as a result of a power loss, and if a power outage occurs in an area with a healthcare facility or pharmacy, it is a major issue for them. This is because they have a pharmacy refrigerator on their premises where medication and vaccines are stored, which requires a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius to ensure that the drug and vaccine do not lose their potency. 

In other situations, healthcare facilities and pharmacies have had to discard medications and vaccines because they could not be administered to patients. This post will explain what procedures you should take before and during a power outage.

Steps to follow Before Power Outage:

1.      Have a Medical UPS backup: 

A Medical UPS battery backup is an additional battery that supplies backup electricity to a pharmacy refrigeration in the event of a power outage. When there is a power outage, blackout, or surge, the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) ensures that medical devices and appliances continue to function. Unlike an auxiliary or emergency power system, a UPS provides fast power protection for valuable equipment using battery power. 

2.      Alternative storage options:

Aside from a backup battery, it is usually a good idea to research other storage solutions ahead of time. Establish a working relationship with an alternative storage facility that has a backup generator and can keep medicines, vaccines, and biological samples in the case of a power loss. Alternative storage locations could include hospitals, fire stations, or commercial pharmacies. If that is not an option, coolers or portable medical refrigerators can be used. Make sure the cooler or portable fridge is large enough to hold all of the medical items. 

3.      Emergency Vaccine Transport Containers and Materials:

To maximize inventory, make sure you have a sufficient quantity of emergency vaccination transportation supplies. This comprised coolant materials, hard-sided insulated containers or styrofoam, insulating materials such as bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard, and temperature monitoring systems. 

4.      Preventative maintenance:

To ensure that everything works properly, get the vaccine refrigerator maintained on a regular basis by an expert. A specialist will spot any problems before they arise and guarantee that the critical temperature monitoring system is accurate and dependable. To comply with safe storage rules, the pharmacy refrigerator must also be cleaned on a regular basis. Read Pharmacool's blog on frequent mistakes in pharmacy refrigerators and how to avoid them.

5.      Ensure at least one team member understands cold storage and emergency practices. Staff should also get frequent training and education on emergency protocols, as well as the significance of continual temperature monitoring.

Steps to take during power outage:

1.     Do not open the pharmacy refrigerator door after losing electricity: Do not open the refrigerator or freezer doors at the start of the outage. Pharmacy refrigerators and freezers will typically keep a consistent temperature for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the storage unit and whether you open the doors.

2.  Keep you medicine and vaccine in ice packs: If the electricity is not restored within 12 to 24 hours, remove your ice packs from the freezer and place them in a cooler with the medicines and vaccines. This should keep the drugs cool for at least 48 hours, after which the temperature will gradually rise again. 

3.      Seal the drugstore refrigerator door so that no cold air escapes. Place a sign or note on the refrigerator door to inform employees that the power is out and that the vaccinations and refrigerator should be left alone. Advise employees not to open the refrigerator door because it will cause temperature fluctuations.

4.      Monitor vaccine refrigerator temperature with a battery-powered thermometer or data logger. These devices should preferably be self-contained and have an external display to avoid opening the door and generating temperature fluctuations. Monitor the refrigerator's temperature on a regular basis and be aware for any fluctuations.

5.      Cover the glass door with a blanket, thick cardboard, or polystyrene sheets to increase the medical refrigerator's temperature retention. 

Finally, with good planning and personnel training, the impact of power outages can be considerably reduced. During an outage, immediate and informed action is critical to preserving the cold chain. 

Protect your critical medications with confidence. 

Choose Pharmacool Pharmacy Refrigerators for reliable temperature control, advanced safety features, and peace of mind—even during power outages.

Stay prepared. Stay compliant. Choose Pharmacool.

References:-

1.      Eurochilladm. (2025, February 13). What to do with a medical fridge during power outage. Eurochill. https://eurochill.com.au/what-to-do-with-a-medical-fridge-during-power-outage/

2.      Medi-Products. (2024, March 20). How to keep medicine cold during a power outage?. How To Keep Medicine Cold During A Power Outage? https://www.mediproducts.net/blog/vaccine-storage/how-to-keep-medicine-cold-during-power-outage