The Chilling Effect of Clinical Lab Refrigerators and Freezers

Clinical lab refrigerators and freezers offer specific storage solutions for critical biological specimens and samples, temperature sensitive chemicals and solutions, and other items needing chilling or freezing, like ice packs. Medical grade refrigerators and freezers are specifically engineered for ensuring temperatures are reached and maintained as required to keep critical medical specimens, pharmaceuticals, and other items safe.

Temperature Stability is First Order of Business

The medical grade refrigeration and freezing equipment is designed to ensure temperature stability. Temperature fluctuations are simply not acceptable when the items stored are sensitive medical or lab related items. There are a number of styles manufactured today. Medical grade equipment includes:

Combination refrigerator and freezer
Refrigerator only
Freezer only

There are also options as to the door style. Freezers and freezer sections have solid doors, while laboratory refrigerators have glass fronts that make it easy to see what is inside. This helps with keeping the temperature stable because the person accessing the unit can see where the item is stored without opening the door. It also simplifies inventory control when laboratory personnel can see the items through the glass.

Making a Purchasing Decision

The ideal clinical lab refrigerators and freezers depend on things like the amount of available floor space, the required storage space and temperature requirements. Medical Supplies & Equipment Co. (MSEC) has upright and under-the-counter lab freezer models with single or double doors. Medical grade chest freezers are available in the industry, but are usually not a practical option for the laboratory setting. When selecting a clinical lab freezer, consider the cubic feet of the storage area (5.5 to 47 cubic feet) and the temperature the unit can reach (up to -23 centigrade).

Clinical lab refrigerators are also available as upright or under-the-counter models. With storage space up to 72 cubic feet, clinics and laboratories can find a unit that fits best in the available space. The units are multi or general purpose or are designed for specific items, like pharmaceuticals and vaccines.