Monitoring the Storage Temperature of Ambulance Medications with Time-Temperature Indicators

Abstract

The US Pharmacopeia gives recommendations for the storage of pharmaceuticals in terms of mean kinetic temperature (MKT). This study's goal was to determine if color-changing time–temperature indicator (TTI) labels can reliably monitor the MKTs of medications used in ambulances. TTI labels and miniature electronic temperature recorders were placed into the drug storage boxes in five advanced life support units over 12 summer weeks in 1995 and in three advanced life support units over 4 weeks the following winter. The electronic temperature recorders measured temperatures several times per hour, and the color changes of the TTI labels were analyzed periodically. The MKTs calculated from the TTI labels differed from those calculated from the electronic temperature recorders in all cases by less than 1° C. The authors concluded that TTIs can accurately measure the MKTs of medications used in ambulances. A TTI label on each medication container may help insure that drugs are not damaged by temperture conditions.

Keywords

mean kinetic temperature storage temperature time–temperature indicator

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