- You need to get the right size. This depends on a number of other factors. How much space do you have for the scientific freezer? How many vaccines do you need to store? If you need to hold a lot of vials of vaccine in a smaller space, you may want to look at upright medical refrigerators and freezers. There are a lot of ways to get your vaccine refrigerator customized for your needs.
- Think about the future. Think about whether or not your vaccine storage needs will change at all. If you think you may need more room for your vaccines, get a big scientific freezer. This can save you from needing to get a bigger freezer later or from needing to add a second one.
- Get the temperature right. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (this is 5 degrees Celcius). Before you buy any scientific freezer, you need to know what its temperature range is. In addition to making sure your refrigerator can get to the right temperature, you should make sure it can stay there. Ask about the safety features used on the freezer you select.
- Set your budget. Whenever a business needs to make a big purchase, it is important to set a budget. Seeing as buying items such as scientific freezers fits that description, it is important to set your budget before you go out and look at your options. If you set a limit on what you can spend, and stick to that, you will be able to get the equipment you need without blowing your budget.
- Your new freezer does not have to use a ton of energy to work well. When you are looking at scientific freezers, take some time researching how much energy is used by different makes and models. You do not need to increase your business's carbon footprint when you are storing vaccines at the proper temperature. Your best bet is to look for the Energy Star logo.
- Make sure you know what features your scientific freezer has. You should look at:
- Get a model with an external digital thermometer. Newer models of pharmacy grade refrigerator have digital thermometers located on the outside. This allows you to keep the vaccine at the right temperature without opening the door more than you need to.
- Make sure you get a great lock. No matter what you are storing in your scientific refrigerator, you need to keep the items safe and secure. A good lock on your freezer can help you do just that. This can also keep people out of the freezer who do not have any reason to be going into it.
- Look at models with glass doors. If you opt for one of these, you will be able to keep track of your inventory without having to open the door.
- Consider a combination scientific freezer/refrigerator. These can be great if you have medicines other than vaccines to store in your place of business. If you need to store items at different temperatures, getting one of these can be a more cost-effective option.
- Get one with an alarm. This is not the kind of alarm to keep thieves out but will alert you should there be a change in the temperature of the freezer. This can help you make sure everything is always maintained at the right temperature and safeguard the viability of your vaccines and other medicines in the storage area.
Getting the right scientific freezer can make a big difference in the way you manage your vaccine and medication storage. The only way to keep your vaccines in good shape is to get the right storage freezer.