Papers

Validation of cold storage shelves in an automated dispensing system

By Anne Black, MRPharmS, Steven Brice, MRPharmS, Loraine Hardy,and Rod Longshaw, MRPharmS

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Anne Black is quality assurance pharmacist, Steven Brice is associate chief pharmacist and Loraine Hardy is dispensary manager, all at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

Rod Longshaw is chief pharmacist for Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust.

For correspondence please contact Anne Black at Anne.Black@nuth.northy.nhs.uk

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE — To establish whether the cold storage shelves of a ROWA Speedcase tandem system consistently provide a suitable storage area for pharmaceuticals that need to be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8C. To determine whether the LCD display provides an accurate and reliable indication of the temperature achieved. To establish whether heat generated by the system (including automatic loaders) effects the ambient temperature in the areas where drugs are being stored.

METHODS — Calibrated temperature data loggers were used to establish the temperature pattern in the cold storage areas before and after stocking the robot and during its use. The ambient temperature in other areas of the robot and surrounding the robot were similarly assessed.

RESULTS — After adjusting the settings in some scenarios, it was possible to maintain the cold storage areas of the system at 2–8C. Temperatures in the non-cold storage areas ranged from 23 to 27C.

CONCLUSION — The cold storage shelving has been validated, to prove its suitability for refrigeration of pharmaceuticals. However, it would be useful for the LCD temperature display to be to one decimal place (rather than displaying whole numbers). The ambient temperature in areas close to the robots is higher than that in the rest of the dispensary. Steps should be taken to manage this.