Tinytag monitors storage of medical products
For a UK manufacturer of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals
Chichester, UK-based Gemini Data Loggers has supplied STD Pharmaceutical Products, a manufacturer of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, with a Tinytag radio data logging system to ensure that its sensitive products are stored in the correct conditions. The system uses wireless communications to send temperature data for immediate viewing on a PC.
STD Pharmaceutical Products, located in Hereford, was formed in 1967 to supply a novel sclerosant (injectable medicine) to surgeons for the non-surgical treatment of varicose veins. The company currently promotes a range of sclerotherapy products, antiperspirants and also offers treatment for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Some of these products require storage below 25°C, and the temperature has to be constantly monitored to ensure they remain compliant.
Six radio data loggers, some incorporating two probes, are located in the main warehouse at different height levels; there is a clear difference of 2°C between the levels. A logger is also located in the cold store to identify any temperature deviation within that area, and there is also one in the server room to help protect the IT systems from overheating.
The radio option proved to be the most flexible since the loggers can be placed wherever required
The data is analysed on a monthly basis unless an alarm is automatically generated by the logging system. If this occurs, steps have to be taken immediately to investigate if any product could be at risk. An annual report is produced in line with current MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) guidelines for the company’s Wholesaler Dealers Licence.
STD Pharmaceutical Products initially selected Gemini because the radio option proved to be the most flexible since the loggers can be placed wherever required, and they support each other by automatically re-routing the signal (or recording locally) if it is blocked or the battery has died, so that data is not lost. The radio loggers all feed into one hub, which is linked to the company’s server.
The Tinytag system is suitable for monitoring in large or remote sites, or in smaller sites with a high number of monitoring points. Data from multiple loggers is collected automatically using wireless communications, allowing up-to-date, rather than historical information, to be viewed from the convenience of the user’s own desk. Data may be viewed across a local area network, or remotely across the Internet. Alarm warnings can be sent via email, which in turn can be used to generate text messages, enabling corrective action to be initiated even if no-one is present on site.