Published 2022-08-12

In 2007, Djurfarmacia started wholesaling. Soon there was a shop selling personal care products for animals and a veterinary clinic. Three years later, they also received permission to open the Apotek Trollet animal pharmacy. In order to comply with legal requirements that medicines are stored at the right temperatures, Djurfarmacia has commissioned a so-called mapping of the premises.

In short, mapping involves measuring the temperature at different locations and heights in a space over a period of time. After Nordtec had mapped the temperature levels at Djurfarmacia, we had a chat with pharmacy manager Anna Gustafsson and Cecilia Berg, responsible for wholesale.

What are the different types of warehouses you have?
– “We have stocks everywhere,” say both Anna and Cecilia, laughing. Both cold and hot, both room and refrigerator temperature, for many different purposes.

In which layers was mapping carried out?
– All of them, in fact. Our three cold rooms are now mapped and there was also a room temperature room that was mapped. We are required to have the right temperatures in all premises where medicines are present. Both in the retail part – that is, the pharmacy – and in the warehouses.

Why was Nordtec awarded the contract?
– We already knew Nordtec because we have been using the remote monitoring system testo Saveris 1 for a long time, which Nordtec supplied and installed. In this system, we receive alarms if there are abnormal temperatures somewhere.

– We have also always had Nordtec as support when it comes to temperature monitoring, so we felt it was natural to turn to you.

How long did the measurements last?
– We think it lasted five days, but it was a bit different because one of the cold rooms was brand new. One of the cold rooms also had to be readjusted before mapping, which took some extra time. If I remember correctly, it took place over a weekend as well.

– In the meantime, we had to use the warehouses as usual, opening and closing doors etc. to show how the temperatures varied in normal cases.

How was the business affected in the meantime?
– Not so much actually. It was just a matter of remembering to open and close doors, so that the situation would resemble normal working days.

How did you use the report after mapping, did you need to make any changes to meet the requirements?
– Maria (Almestål, lab manager) from Nordtec explained very well how everything was connected in the report, so that we could then make a decision that we were completely satisfied with.

– For example, one of the coolers was on the verge of being a bit too cold, but we discussed this and decided that it was okay.

Nordtec has also carried out a field calibration on your premises. What type of measuring equipment was calibrated?
– It was the entire testo Saveris 1 system that was calibrated on site here with us. Today we have 22 or 23 donors I think and it would be very complicated for us without this help. We can’t just take the sensors down and send them in for calibration and not have any temperature monitoring in the meantime. We need to keep a constant eye on the temperature.

Where do the temperature requirements you have to meet come from?
– This is required by the Medical Products Agency. We have both pharmacy and wholesale operations and there are great demands on temperature monitoring in several of our operations.

– Having a good monitoring system and making sure that the equipment is calibrated is important. And now we know that all donors are okay for a whole year!

Tips for others ordering mapping or calibration, anything they should consider or prepare?
– We really feel that we received all the information we needed for the mapping.

– It was a cold room that was brand new and we didn’t have a good drawing of it. So that was an example of things we needed to produce so that Nordtec could plan and calculate the work. Otherwise, there was nothing we needed to prepare. We were given very clear instructions in advance on how to proceed and there was absolutely nothing complicated that we had to do.

Were the Nordtec team responsive to what needed to be done?
– Yes, we think so. Everything went very smoothly.

So you were satisfied with how the mapping was done?
– Yes, we really were!

Published 2022-08-09

The Nordic logistics company Strömberg is aiming for expansion in medical technology. With the help of mapping of temperature levels, so-called mapping, carried out by Nordtec, Strömberg has acquired knowledge about how to create a perfect indoor climate that meets the high demands of both customers and authorities.

Strömberg has made an impressive journey. In 40 years, it has gone from a small basement company focusing on personalized mailings of financial information to a full-service partner in printing, warehousing and distribution.

The company management, a digital printing and finishing facility and logistics center are located in Flemingsberg, while the main warehouse is in Jordbro (both in southern Stockholm). In addition, Strömberg has a small printing plant and warehouse in Sandviken and logistics centers in Norway, Denmark and Finland. Strömberg provides a total of 30,000 pallet spaces across the Nordic region.

All areas of activity are permeated by a sustainability mindset. Everything from demand-driven production in the print shop to environmentally friendly transportation and – not least – climate-smart operation. As concrete evidence of this, Strömberg is one of the few in the industry to have its own wind turbine that produces the electricity that powers the facilities.

What do you store and distribute?
– Historically, we have been very print-oriented. We still print and store a lot of promotional material, but in recent years we have also started to stock various products in the medical technology sector. It was in connection with this that we came into contact with Nordtec,” says Purchasing and Real Estate Manager Robert Peart and continues:

– The growth of this customer segment has brought new requirements, including stock mapping, from both customers and the relevant authorities. With its expertise, Nordtec has helped us to meet the requirements that have steadily increased in recent years.

Several of Strömberg’s logistics centers in both Sweden and Denmark have received a thorough review of temperature levels. The layers have been mapped in both summer and winter to ensure stable indoor climates as temperatures rise and fall outside. Robert Peart feels that all mappings have gone smoothly with minimal pre- and post-work for him and his colleagues at Strömberg.

– Above all, these processes have strengthened our belief that we have the right partner when it comes to temperature and humidity measurement, mapping issues, calibration issues, instrument issues, software issues… When I discovered 3-4 years ago what Nordtec could offer in the form of a calibrated and validatable remote monitoring system (testo Saveris 1, editor’s note), I was immediately convinced that it was the right step to take for us in our journey to retain and develop our customers in medical technology.

What have you learned from all the maps?
– We have learned where there are differences in temperature and humidity in the buildings. Together with Nordtec, we have discussed and received advice on how to place products in environments where they are shielded from external influences such as frequently opened roller doors that cause climate change.

Robert Peart says that going forward, Strömberg aims to further strengthen its position as a safe and reliable logistics partner in medical technology.

– Over 5-6 years, we have learned a lot and built up a bank of expertise in the medical device industry. We can share this knowledge. Both for new entrants to the industry and for established players who may be planning to expand their product range, but who do not really know what is required to store these products in an optimal and approved way.

Published 2022-08-08

– They are very durable and easy to use. And it’s quicker to read temperatures than any other equipment I’ve tried.

So says Magnus Björklund of MECQ about the testo 190 autoclave loggers he uses to validate sterilization processes in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

Magnus Björklund worked for over 20 years in a medical device company before starting his own consultancy business 2.5 years ago. The company is called MECQ Mälardalen AB and has an office and test workshop in Strängnäs. Magnus and three colleagues are kept busy with assignments for customers all over Sweden but also around Europe and occasionally in the USA.

They are mainly dedicated to mapping and validating critical temperatures in demanding environments in both healthcare and industry (consisting of food customers but mainly pharmaceutical companies).

Magnus and his colleagues carefully measure the temperatures in sterilization units such as autoclaves and washer-disinfectors. The purpose is to verify that prescribed temperatures are maintained during the sterilization of medical equipment, for example, so that harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms are eliminated.

Mapping in server halls
Many jobs for industrial customers involve checking fans, isolators and hydrogen peroxide cabinets. Magnus often has to do temperature mapping. Another common place outside the food and pharmaceutical industry where mappings are requested are stations in server halls.

– In these cases, it is about measuring in the server rack and ensuring that the temperature does not exceed a certain degree and can damage the equipment,” says Magnus.

To make all these accurate temperature measurements, Magnus uses the testo 190. He bought seven two-channel loggers, a pressure sensor and a multifunction case (used to read out measurements and configure the loggers) six months ago.

Need more autoclave logs

The equipment has since been used by customers from north to south.

– We will probably buy another bag. A larger model with more logs. We really need it.

The testo 190 autoclave loggers are used as reference meters for the built-in measuring instruments of the sterilization machines. They are deployed to measure temperatures in walls, ceilings and corners and sometimes also in the load.

– We always aim to put the 190 logs in places where we know from experience that it is difficult to achieve the right heat to clean properly. Then we repeat the measurement three times to get a reliable result. When it’s a sterilization centre in a hospital, we’re talking about surgical instruments going into people. Then you want to know that everything is really sterile.

What do you like most about the testo 190?
– The user interface. It is incredibly easy to create and save templates. This makes it much easier to do recurring jobs for the same customer – while also allowing you to compare results from year to year. I like that,” says Magnus, adding:

– This saves time for me and money for the customer.

For Magnus, it’s all about having equipment that he can rely on at all times. Not least to be able to present reliable measurements at all times. He finds the testo 190 more stable and easier to handle than other temperature loggers on the market. It is also easy to apply to the load. Magnus feels that he can simply put it wherever he wants – and then trust it to stay put.

Durable and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant
– Other brands have wired transducers that are not as durable as the testo 190 and break quite easily. In addition, the 190 logs are easy to read. The bag we bought is absolutely fantastic. You just push the logs into their respective compartments and read them and you’re done! Unlike other logs, which can swell at the bottom from the heat, making it take a while to read them.

Another clear advantage of the testo 190, says Magnus, is that these autoclave loggers comply with 21 CFR Part 11 – a standard with requirements for electronic signatures and traceability that is becoming increasingly common in industry. With a few simple clicks of the included software, Magnus can add signatures and make everything traceable. This is something both he and his customers appreciate.

It is the development of technology and the variety of challenges that make Magnus Björklund look forward to every day at work. In addition to temperature measurements, he is available to help customers with both emergency service and product development.

– It is often said that the day you know everything about this, then it is time to close down. But I am learning new things and developing all the time,” says Magnus and concludes:

– One week you can help with the development of an autoclave, for example, and the next week you can be involved in making improvements to the software of a robotic plant. You definitely never have time to get bored with this job.