Extreme heat creates more than uncomfortable conditions – it can also increase the risk of a power outage, posing a threat to refrigerated medications, vaccines, biologics, insulin, lab materials, and other temperature-sensitive products in pharmacies, clinics and other outpatient facilities. As temperatures rise, electrical demand increases, putting additional strain on the power grid. Even a brief outage can lead to temperature excursions, forcing staff to assess affected inventory, determine product viability, and manage replacements – all l while responding to patient needs. And financial losses from lost medication can run in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The best time to prepare is before an outage occurs. Use this checklist to review your facility’s readiness before the hottest days of summer.
1. Identify Every Refrigerator That Stores Critical Products
Create an inventory of every refrigerator, freezer, or temperature-controlled unit that stores medications, vaccines, lab samples, or other sensitive products – not just those in the main pharmacy. For each unit, document what it stores, the approximate value of the inventory, the required temperature range, and who is responsible for monitoring it.
2. Confirm Which Units Have Backup Power
Next, determine which units will be protected during a power outage. Do not assume every refrigerator is protected simply because your building has a generator. Verify which units are connected to backup power and confirm the system has been tested under real operating conditions.
Ask yourself:
- Is the refrigerator connected to emergency power?
- Is the outlet clearly labeled?
- Does power transfer automatically, or do staff need to take action?
- How long will backup power last?
If the answer is unclear, treat the unit as unprotected until verified.
3. Review Your Temperature Monitoring Process
Temperature monitoring alerts you when a problem occurs, but it does not keep equipment running. Review who receives alerts, expected response times, and procedures for after-hours or widespread outages. The goal is not just to detect temperature excursions, but to prevent them whenever possible.
4. Check Your Written Power Outage Procedure
Every pharmacy or healthcare clinic should have a clear outage plan that outlines immediate actions, key contacts, product assessment procedures, and documentation requirements. Review the plan with staff as soon as possible and ensure it is easy to access during an emergency.
5. Evaluate Your Power Outage Response Time
Consider what happens if power is lost overnight. Who will be notified? How quickly can someone respond? Is protected cold storage available if products need to be moved? Automatic backup power reduces reliance on staff availability during emergencies, helping protect inventory when every minute counts.
6. Make Backup Power Part of Summer Preparedness
Backup power should be part of every facility’s risk-management strategy, not an emergency purchase after an outage occurs. A properly sized battery backup system can automatically keep refrigeration equipment running during utility outages, helping protect valuable inventory and maintain continuity of care. As heatwaves become more common, now is the time to review your refrigeration equipment, monitoring process, outage plan, and backup power. Preparation today can help protect patients, product, and peace of mind when the next outage occurs.
At Medi-Products, our experienced team can help you determine the best sized backup system for your facility’s needs. Fill out a contact form or call 800.765.3237 to request a free, no-obligation assessment today.
