Maintenance of storage devices
The Australian Standard for Medical Refrigeration Equipment – For the Storage of Blood and Blood Products (AS3864) specifies the requirements for refrigerators and freezers used for the storage of blood and blood products.
AS3864 details the construction and performance requirements, and instrumentation and temperature measuring apparatus, including recorders, sensors and alarm systems.
The standard also sets out the user-related functions of performance testing, calibration, maintenance, cleaning, and various temperature records that must be maintained.
Hospital or laboratory staff can perform the maintenance. However, there are several companies in each state who can maintain fridges and freezers under contract.
When selecting an external contractor, ensure that they understand and follow the AS3864 standard.
Records
Records of refrigerator maintenance must be kept for the life of the machine plus 3 years.
Follow the simple guides to maintaining your fridge along with a monthly schedule sheet for recording temperatures:
Blood Fridge Maintenance Record (2009) 95 KB
Published by BloodSafe and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service
This document is a register or log book sheet for recording quality assurance and maintenance of blood fridges.
