POST00430E: A NEW TIME TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
Q-tag? validation study in Turkey
24 February 2002
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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.
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