Sunday, 24 February 2002
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POST00430E: A NEW TIME TEMPERATURE INDICATOR Q-tag? validation study in Turkey 24 February 2002 -------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Birhan Altay, Chief, Control of Biological Products & Logistics Management in the Ministry of Health, Turkey describing a new validation study the Ministry of Health is conducting in coordination with WHO/ATT and WHO/EURO. Since no software/computer needed to analyze the data, Q-tag? seems to be an alternative to data loggers which requires computer connection for downloading. Attached you will find a commercial leaflet from Q-tag SA (resolution and size was kept low in order to have small attachment size). Q-tag? was developed by Q-tag AG to electronically monitor transport of perishable goods and sold through Berlinger & Co. AG. Q-tag? measures the time, monitors temperature and shows range violations. Time/temperature parameters as well as transportation time are programmable (24 hours to 48 days). General specifications of the Q-tag? can be summarized as follows: Storage temperature: -20oC to +70oC Operating temperature: -20oC to +50oC Temperature measuring accuracy: ?0.5oC Time measuring accuracy: ?10 seconds/day Battery life: 12-18 months Programmable temperature ranges: 7 maximum Programmable transportation time: 24 hours to 48 days Initial delay: 4 hours maximum Identification: Each device has a consecutive ID number both as numerical and bar code on a twin label Temperature and time parameters for storage and ALARM ranges are factory-set according to customer requirements Compared to other standard data loggers, Q-tag? has the following advantages: * Easy use and handling * Direct display * No software/computer needed to analyze data * Low price * Saves cost on the transport monitoring system Q-tag? liquid screen has a total of 24 segments in a circular design and records temperature in a clockwise direction. Segments show when and which conditions have been violated. When there is a violation ALARM indicator turns on and segments flash with determined on/off mode. History function helps to read the monitor with a step by step indication of temperature on every segment and with indication of related alarms. Test function is used to verify display on every segment and for verification of the correct temperature measurement. Data retention time after STOP in disposable models is 2 months and continuous in resetable models. Q-tag? validation study will be conducted to cover all 5 main vaccine distribution routes from primary to intermediate stores involving a total of 8 provinces (this will allow to monitor temperatures both in hot and cold climates during the 6 months study period). Main distribution to these intermediate stores varies between 4-6 days and is carried out on a quarterly basis. Temperature monitoring of vaccine transportation within the province will also be monitored. Transport from provincial intermediate stores to district intermediate stores and/or to service level facilities is carried out on a monthly basis. For validation purposes the following custom settings for Q-tag? are agreed upon: Temperature Duration Alarm > 34oC 2 hours Single event > 8oC 6 hours Cumulative < 2oC 6 hours Cumulative < 0oC 1 hour Cumulative < -5oC 1 hour Single event In addition to Q-tag?, Tiny TTM Type G, Cold Chain Monitor and Freeze Watch? (both models of 9800 and 9805) will be used for validation at different legs of the vaccine distribution. A standard questionnaire on the use of Q-tag? will be applied to all staff receiving vaccines (and therefore reading and interpreting the data for accepting the consignment). Rapid assessment procedures (RAP) will be used to discuss programmatic values of the Q-tag? with mid-level managers from the Ministry of Health central and provincial levels. Data collection will start with March quarterly distribution and will continue for 6 months. http://www.technet21beta.org/components/com_agora/img/members/3149/mini_Qtag4.jpg http://www.technet21beta.org/components/com_agora/img/members/3149/mini_Qtag3.jpg http://www.technet21beta.org/components/com_agora/img/members/3149/mini_Qtag2.jpg http://www.technet21beta.org/components/com_agora/img/members/3149/mini_Qtag1.jpg
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