Application / Appliance Type |
Standard |
Reference Temperature Range |
Temperature Range Set in Automated Monitoring System |
Food Refrigerator |
FDA Food Code 3-501.16-19 |
2° – 5°C (35° to 41°F) |
2° to 5°C
1st alert 30 min |
Food Freezer |
Title 22 CCR: Acute Care, Item 25 |
-18°C (0°F) or below |
-30° to -10°C
1st alert 30 min |
Medication Refrigerator |
USP Quality Review: Storage Definitions; Title 22, CCR |
1° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) |
2° to 8°C
1st alert 30 min |
Medication Freezer |
USP Quality Review: Storage Definitions; Title 22, CCR |
-20° to -10°C (-4° to 14°F) or other freezer temperature range recommended by the drug manufacturer |
-30° to -10°C
1st alert 30 min |
Specimen Refrigerator – |
College of American Pathologists: 2007 Laboratory Inspection Checklist |
1° to 8°C (33° to 46°F) |
2° to 8°C
1st alert 60 min |
Breast Milk Refrigerator |
Centers for Disease Control |
2° to 8°C (35.6° to 46.4°F) |
2° to 8°C
1st alert 15 min |
Breast Milk Freezer |
Centers for Disease Control |
-30° to -10°C (-22.0° to 14°F) |
-30° to -10°C
1st alert 15 min |
Tissue Refrigerator |
Joint Commission Standard PC.17.10 |
-17.5° to -15°C (0.4° to 4°F) |
Product and usage dependent |
Tissue Freezer |
Joint Commission Standard PC.17.10 |
-40°F (-40°C) |
Product and usage dependent |
Blanket Warmer |
Facility SOP |
Not to exceed 43°C (110°F) |
38° to 43°C
1st alert 60 min |
Fluid Warmer |
USP Quality Review: Storage Definitions |
30° to 40°C (86° to 104°F); 72 hour limit |
30° to 40°C
1st alert 60 min |
Contrast Warmer |
Manufacturer Package Insert: Omnipaque and Visipaque |
15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F ) |
18° to 27°C
1st alert 60 min |
Vaccine Management |
Centers for Disease Control |
2° to 8°C (35.6° to 46.4°F) |
2° to 8°C for refrigerated vaccines
1st alert 30 min |
POCT Test Supplies |
Manufacturer’s Recommendations |
18° to 30°C (64° to 86°F) |
18° to 27°C
1st alert 60 min |
Blood Bank |
FDA and AABB the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (27th Edition) |
1.5° to 5.5°C (34.7° to 41.2°F) |
1.5° to 5.5°C
1st alert 5 min or less |
Platelets |
FDA and AABB the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (27th Edition) |
20.0° to 24.0°C (68.0° to 75.2°F) |
20.0° to 24.0°C
1st alert 15 min or less |