Dorm Fridge vs Purpose-built Refrigeration

Why Do You Need a Purpose-Built Refrigerator?

Choosing the right cold storage solution is one of the most important decisions a medical facility can make.

Compact ‘dorm style’ refrigerators might seem like a convenient and budget-friendly option, but these units are simply not built to maintain the proper conditions for high value, life-saving vaccines. The cost you save on the initial purchase will quickly be outweighed by the huge financial loss of throwing out compromised materials, and worse, the more serious dangers of inoculating patients with vaccines that have lost their efficacy due to improper storage.

What’s the Difference?

Dorm Fridge

Also referred to as Household

or Bar-Style

Common household refrigerators available through most big box stores (you can use a CM406W image)

Usually includes a compact freezer compartment and evaporator plate that risks freezing stored items
Static system with no fans creates an uneven temperature throughout the interior
Mechanical controls don’t allow proper temperature management
Standard plug is easily dislodged from wall outlets
Glass shelving & crisper bins block airflow and can freezer sensitive items
Door racks that constantly expose items to room temperature

Temperature Monitoring

The CDC recommends that every storage unit includes a temperature monitoring device (TMD), specifically a digital data logger (DDL). All Accucold purpose-built refrigerators come with the option of a factory-installed NIST calibrated DDL, and also feature a pre-installed access port to accommodate those facilities that will be installing their own TMDs.

Need more evidence?

We ran our own tests in our internal laboratory comparing the performance of a dorm-style and pharmaceutical-grade refrigerator. Take a look and see for yourself!

Transporting vaccines?

Maintain the cold chain at every step with the proper refrigeration. Compressor-based cooling offers more stability, and portable refrigeration units can be powered by the DC outlet in vehicles during transit and plugged into standard electrical outlets when on site.

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