Why McKesson Cold Storage

Why cold storage matters for healthcare providers

Cold storage may seem like a simple task, but as many healthcare providers know, improper cold storage can be devastating to a clinic. Temperature excursions caused by storage failures can lead to product waste, workflow disruptions and cause potential risks to patient care.¹ Maintaining an effective cold chain through proper cold storage methods can help preserve pharmaceutical integrity, helping prevent operational issues, cost variability and, most importantly, helping protect the health of patients.²

From the manufacturing facility to the distribution center and finally the care site, each person involved plays a role in preserving the quality of pharmaceuticals as they are transported and stored. Healthcare providers can do their part by completing proper training, employing best practices and utilizing the appropriate cold storage equipment.²

The healthcare cold chain explained

The healthcare cold chain involves a series of actions and equipment that help keep certain products at the appropriate temperatures to help ensure product efficacy and quality. It can help maintain operations, support patient trust and control costs.² Pharmaceuticals typically travel from the manufacturer to a distribution center, and from the distribution center to a care site, where they are stored until being administered to patients.

Manufacturers, distributors and clinics all play a part in helping protect the integrity of the cold chain through proper storage and handling of pharmaceuticals.

• Manufacturer: Supports proper storage and handling at manufacturing plant through handoff to the distributor
• Distributor: Supports proper storage and handling once received from manufacturer, at the distribution center and through the distributor’s transport to the care site
• Care site: Supports proper storage and handling when product arrives at care site until administration to patient

Healthcare practices may consider several factors that can help contribute to an effective cold chain, including:

• Properly trained staff
• Appropriate cold storage equipment
• Reliable inventory management
• Continuous temperature monitoring
• Standard operating procedures for cold storage

Common cold storage challenges facing healthcare practices

From procurement to clinic operations, healthcare practices have a lot on their plate in addition to patient care. Cold storage is another essential task that requires a plan of action and dedicated support to help ensure the integrity of pharmaceuticals and the safety of patients. Healthcare practices may want to consider these cold storage challenges when creating their plan:

• Narrow temperature tolerances
• Limited storage space
• Power outages and emergency preparedness 
• Manual processes that can increase risk of error

Common practices for maintaining cold chain integrity

According to the CDC,** there are several key steps to building a dependable cold chain that healthcare practices may consider: 

1. Standardization and protocols

• The CDC** recommends selecting a vaccines manager who will be responsible for storing and handling vaccines.³
• Vaccine managers often have the following responsibilities:
  • Ordering vaccines
  • Supervising receipt and storage of vaccines
  • Managing inventory and temperature logs
  • Implementing contingency plans for vaccine storage during a power outage

2. Validated packaging and shipping solutions

• Vaccines should be shipped utilizing proper cold chain products that can help maintain the appropriate temperature

3. Continuous monitoring and visibility

• Utilize a temperature monitoring device like a digital data logger (DDL), a device that can provide continuous monitoring on temperature of the product
  • DDLs can offer alarms for out-of-range temperatures, low battery warnings and display current, minimum and maximum temperature
  • DDLs can be used during routine storage, transport and in temporary settings, such as a mobile or satellite office

4. Data logging and documentation

• Routine temperature checks can help reduce the risk of temperature excursions that could warrant the disposal of the vaccines depending on the manufacturer’s guidance

Why cold storage matters for healthcare providers

From specialized distribution capabilities to technology and products, McKesson Medical-Surgical offers a range of solutions that can help support cold chain management and pharmaceutical storage.

• End-to-end cold chain distribution capabilities
  • Specialized temperature-controlled packaging and real-time monitoring technology

• Advanced product tracking
  • Gain visibility into your orders, including temperature-sensitive products, with McKesson SupplyManager℠
• Cold storage solutions
  • Supporting clinics’ cold storage and vaccine management needs with a broad range of products

Learn how McKesson can support your cold storage needs.

Frequently Asked Questions