What is meant by the term cold chain?
What is meant by the term cold chain?
It takes a chain of precisely coordinated events in temperature-controlled environments to store, manage and transport these life-saving products. This is called a cold chain. Vaccines must be continuously stored in a limited temperature range – from the time they are manufactured until the moment of vaccination.
What is cold chain and its importance?
The cold chain ensures that perishable products are safe and of high quality at the point of consumption. Failing to keep product at the correct temperatures can result in textural degradation, discoloring, bruising, and microbial growth. Cold chain providers also contribute a great deal to the economy and workforce.
What is cold chain delivery?
Cold chain delivery or ‘cold chain management’ requires specialist packaging (‘cold boxes’), which can’t be compromised. An end-to-end delivery process that keeps the temperature of a package consistent is called an ‘unbroken’ cold chain. Specialised medical couriers provide unbroken cold chain delivery.
What are cold chain drugs?
Five Most Common Cold Chain Drugs
- Vaccines. Vaccines must be cooled all the time.
- Glaucoma eye drops. Glaucoma is treated with eye drops which are temperature sensitive.
- Aerosol spray against asthma. Aerosol spray, commonly known as asthma inhaler.
- Insulin for diabetes treatment.
- Biologicals.
What are the elements of cold chain?
The cold chain has three main components: transport and storage equipment, trained personnel, and efficient management procedures. All three elements must combine to ensure safe vaccine transport and storage.
What are the key elements of cold chain?
The main elements of a cold chain involve:
- Cooling systems. Bringing commodities such as food to the appropriate temperature for processing, storage, and transportation.
- Cold storage.
- Cold transport.
- Cold processing and distribution.
What happens when the cold chain is broken?
Breaking the cold chain can lead to public health concerns, by opening the door to: The premature spoilage of merchandise. The loss of organoleptic properties (taste, appearance, etc.). And the growth of harmful bacteria and microorganisms that multiply more easily in relatively warm environments.
How do you manage a cold chain?
Managing the cold chain requires keeping a product within a particular temperature range throughout the supply chain….These include:
- Temperature tracking – Even in refrigerated units, temperatures can vary.
- Selection of containers – Container selection influences temperature variation within the unit.
What elements make effective cold chains?
7 Elements of a Cold Chain
- Packaging. Packaging designed to be energy efficient and secure such as insulated shipping containers for fresh seafood.
- Monitoring. Monitoring the temperature of items throughout the supply chain with tools such as temperature data loggers.
- Transport.
- Customs.
- Storage.
- End-Customer.
How do you maintain a cold chain?
Proper temperature monitoring is key to proper cold chain management. Thermometers should be placed in a central location in the storage unit, adjacent to the vaccine. Temperatures should be read and documented twice each day, once when the office or clinic opens and once at the end of the day.
What is a cold chain failure?
A cold chain failure occurs when vaccines are compromised or destroyed by freezing, being overheated or being exposed to direct sunlight/fluorescent light. Cold chain management practices nationwide are based on the National Guidelines.
What causes a breakdown in the cold chain?
A breakdown in the “Cold Chain” occurs when vaccines are NOT stored between +2˚C and +8˚C. This can be due to delay in refrigerating vaccines once delivered, faulty fridge, electrical power cut, fridge unplugged /switched off, or fridge door left open.