LEC MEDICAL CALLS FOR URGENT REFRIGERATION CHECKS AS DANGEROUS GP PRACTICES ARE UNCOVERED
Following the spot check investigation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which has led to the recent naming and shaming of those GP practices that are failing to meet basic standards, Lec Medical - one of the leading manufacturers of medical refrigeration - is calling for urgent checks to be carried out on GP refrigeration facilities for drugs and vaccines.
Having inspected 1,000 practices across England where concerns had already been raised about care - and set to inspect all 8,000 GP surgeries in England over the next two years - the CQC revealed that some GP practices were negligent in storing vaccines at unsafe temperatures, as well as keeping stocks of out of date drugs and vaccines.
Professor Steve Field, the CQC’s chief inspector of GPs, said: “We found some surgeries where there were out of date vaccines in the fridge which could affect many hundreds of patients in single surgeries.”
In response to this damning report, Lec Medical’s Head of UK Sales and Marketing, Jon Usher, said: “Despite the MHRA standards being absolutely clear and every GP practice being aware that they should have in place a robust policy for the safe and secure handling of medicines, this report is very disturbing. Even the safest of drugs can become dangerous when they are not stored correctly and out of date vaccines will become ineffective.”
Jon continues: “It is crucial that valuable drugs, vaccines and potentially dangerous substances are stored in professional medical fridges that are especially intended for the storage of drugs. These appliances should also feature a digital controller that shows air and simulated load temperature readings for improved functionality and accuracy and they should be temperature mapped annually to ensure the refrigeration is functioning correctly.”
Medical refrigerators are designed to maintain an internal temperature between +2º C and +8ºC and they come with a variety of features to ensure that they stay at the correct temperature. Good quality medical fridges also come with a sturdy lock, whilst specialised drug cabinets feature a seven-lever mortice dead lock and fully comply with BS2281. A variety of alarms are also fitted - including audio and visual - but a simple open door high-pitched alarm may be just enough to provide the necessary time to act on the problem.
Jon concludes: “In light of this latest report, it is vital that all GP practices urgently check their medical refrigeration equipment and if necessary, they should arrange an immediate health check. Without wishing to scare monger, a simple check and an upgrade to a model that meets MHRA guidelines could save lives.”
Medical fridges should only be sourced from a reputable manufacturer, such as Lec Medical, that supplies quality products and offers a nationwide network of service engineers in the event of breakdown. Peace of mind is also provided with a two-year warranty including both parts and labour cover.
For further information or to arrange a refrigeration health check, visit www.lec-medical.co.uk or call 0844 248 4661.
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The safe storage of medicines is one of the five essential requirements of CQC, plus latest MHRA guidelines recommend that all temperature controlled storage equipment is temperature mapped annually in order to keep accurate temperature records.
Glen Dimplex Professional Appliances (GDPA) is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of medical refrigeration and the Lec Medical brand is renowned worldwide. The Lec Medical range offers a comprehensive range of models that provide safe and reliable storage of drugs and vaccines. All models use energy efficient refrigerants and high specification insulation that helps reduce energy consumption.
PRESS CONTACT:
Julie A. Garrido - Wentworth Communications Ltd
Tel: 0161 973 6763 Fax: 0161 969 6813
Email: julie@wentworthcomms.co.uk
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