Burapha University International Conference, BUU-2014

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Temperature monitoring of vaccine storage in Bangkok
Watcharinee Kerdpiam, Cha-oncin Sooksriwong, Somying Pumtong

Last modified: 2014-06-04

Abstract


The temperature monitoring is an important procedure to ensuring vaccines storage condition within 2 to 8°C. The previous studies of vaccine cold chain in Thailand found errors of temperature monitoring while vaccine storage with uncontrolled temperatures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of the vaccine storage temperatures monitored by health personnel at health care facilities in Bangkok, comparing with the computerize data logger. A cross-sectional analytical research was conducted. Data were provided by National Health Security Office (NHSO) which were collected from health care facilities in zone 13 (n= 254), Bangkok. The totals of 154 samples were random sampling. The vaccine temperatures from the routine monitoring and computerized data logger (LogTag TRIX-8) in the same period were compared and calculated a percentage of accurate recorded temperatures, and observed the difference of recording. Over 90% of samples routinely monitored the temperature of their vaccines. A stem thermometer was the most common thermometer. 51% of the facilities had never calibrated their monitoring equipments, and only 29% of observed thermometers were placed at the center of refrigerator. Almost all of facilities (97.9%) monitored vaccine temperatures two or three times per day. At the acceptable error is 2°C, approximately one-third of health care facilities had a range of accuracy of recorded temperature more than 80%, the average of percentage was 53.9 (SD 35.5). The average of mean of difference of recorded temperatures was 2.2°C (SD 1.6°C); the maximum was 13.4°C that was found in a group that had least percentage of accuracy. From these results, encourage in awareness of practice regarding temperature monitoring is necessary. The findings highlight that the continuous temperature monitoring equipment was better detect actual temperature and problem of temperature control than thermometers that monitor a point of time.