Blood Temperature Indicators
Close the cycle
and return
blood safely
Temperature indicators are used to ensure compliant handling of blood bags during transport and enable safe return of surplus units to the blood bank. Blood product temperature can be constantly monitored from storage to distribution and return – the cold chain cycle is closed. Permanently cooled surplus products can be returned to storage and reused instead of discarded.
Why temperature monitoring?
Requirements are strict for ensuring blood safety. Temperature is an important parameter in guaranteeing transfusion safety for any blood bank. Regulations on blood product storage and transport are very clear and temperatures may not exceed a certain limit at any point in the supply chain. In times of severe blood shortage, it is more important than ever to return permanently cooled products to storage and reuse blood which otherwise may be discarded.
Life-Guard
Life-Guard indicators are specially developed monitoring tools for checking blood product temperature to optimise processes in blood centres and hospitals.
Labels can be applied on warm and cool blood bags. Non-activated Life-Guard indicators are yellow. A special UV-C light source ensures easy, quick and contactless activation of the indicators. Once activated, the indicators start monitoring the temperature. Surplus blood products only need to be discarded if the indicators have turned orange. As long as the cool chain is ok, blood can be returned to storage and reused.
Life-Guard indicators are specially developed monitoring tools for checking blood product temperature to optimise processes in blood centres and hospitals.
Labels are applied on warm and cool blood bags. Non-activated Life-Guard indicators are yellow. A special UV-C light source ensures easy, quick and contactless activation of the indicators. Once activated, the indicators start monitoring the temperature. Surplus blood products only need to be discarded if the indicators have turned orange. As long as the cool chain is ok, blood can be returned to storage and reused.
How it Works
All you need is a UV-C activation device and Life-Guard indicators. Intuitive colours mean the right decision can be made during operation.
STEP 1 – APPLICATION
STEP 2 – ACTIVATION
Life-Guard indicators can be applied on warm and cool blood bags. The blood bank or hospital can decide on the application time and indicator positions. Prior to activation, the indicators must be cooled for a minimum of 2 hours at 4-6oC.
To activate, simply switch on the activation device and insert the sufficiently cooled blood bag with the indicator facing up. Wait until the device signals full activation – the indicators are dark blue/grey and immediately begin permanent temperature monitoring.
What do the different colours tell us?
YELLOW – not activated
Life-Guard indicator application can be used for both warm and cool environments. Before activation, the indicators are yellow.
DARK BLUE – activated
After cooling, special UV-C light ensures contactless and easy activation in less than 5 seconds. The indicators turn dark blue and start ongoing temperature monitoring. As long as the indicator shows blue, the cool chain is ok and the blood can be returned to storage at any time.
ORANGE – temperature exceeded
If temperatures are critically exceeded, with variance starting at 12.5oC to 13.5oC, this is indicated by a bright orange colour in the centre that remains irreversible even if the blood bag is refrigerated again. Once the label turns orange, the cool chain has been interrupted. The blood product may not be returned to storage.
For precise interpretation, a colour reference table can be provided on request. Interpretation must be performed by trained personnel who are familiar with the handling and characteristics of blood bags and Life-Guard indicators.
Unique Features
Logistics
shipping and handling at room temperature, storing at room temperature
Application
possible in warm and cool environments, activated or non-activated for optimised working conditions
Activation
after cooling below 6oC, contactless and easy activation with UV-C light devices in less than 5 seconds
Safe Handling
the Life-Guard insulated surface rules out any temperature impact from outside
Unique Colour Code
intuitive colours make it easy to make the right decisions during operation
Quality Assurance
maximum safety through functional principle. Activation is only possible after sufficient cooling of blood bags at 6oC and below
Multiple Benefits
| Stop blood wastage | Closing the circuit of the blood bag supply chain makes it possible to reuse blood which is otherwise discarded. | |
| Reduce supply chain risks | Ongoing monitoring of blood temperature – from storage to distribution and return – ensures an uncompromised level of quality. This means you don’t have to guess what might have happened to your blood outside the blood bank. | |
| Comply with regulatory standards | Using the Life-Guard system allows you to prove that your blood handling has been compliant with relevant regulatory standards at all times. |
| Verwerfen stoppen | Durch das Schließen des Kreislaufes in der Versorgungskette können Blutprodukte wiederverwendet statt verworfen werden. | |
| Risken in der Versorgungskette reduzieren | Durchgehendes Monitoring der Blutbeuteltemperatur – vom Lager bis zur Verteilung und wieder zurück – garantiert ein kompromissloses Qualitätsniveau. Es lässt keinen Zweifel darüber, ob das Blut außerhalb der Blutbank zu hohen Temperaturen ausgesetzt war. | |
| Regeln und Standards einhalten | Die Verwendung des Life-Guard Systems ermöglicht den Nachweis, dass die Handhabung der Blutprodukte den relevanten regulatorischen Standards zu jedem Zeitpunkt entsprochen hat. |
Life-Guard Features
- Shelf life: 12 months
- Packaging: 500pcs/box
- Excellent adhesive strength – firm label hold
- Certificate for label adhesive
- Shipping and handling: at room temperature
- Storage at room temperature – no refrigeration required (15oC to 25oC)
- ISO 13485 quality standard – avoids risks in your process
activation device
Tempmatic
Tempmatic is a simple, easy to handle device which activates the temperature indicators on blood products. According to the size of your facility, we recommend a reasonable number of activation devices.
Tempmatic is a simple, easy to handle device which activates the temperature indicators on blood products. According to the size of your facility, we recommend a reasonable number of activation devices.
How it Works
The activation of Life-Guard indicators serves as a built-in quality check for sufficient cooling of blood bags before issue and, at the same time, proves that the indicator is 100% functional upon successful activation. Tempmatic works with a special UV-C light source. Activation is easy, quick and contactless.
STEP 1: TURN ON
STEP 2: ACTIVATE
- Look for a yellow indicator field and switch on the Tempmatic activation device. To protect your skin, use gloves during activation.
- Insert a sufficiently cooled blood bag with the indicator on the upper side into the activation device until it signals full activation. The indicator is fully activated and the indicator field has turned blue.
Questions?
Simply contact us.
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