The i.C3® Information Center is a touchscreen user interface integrated into i.Series® refrigerators and freezers from Helmer Scientific. The i.C3® provides intelligent diagnostic information and temperature data while providing security features to keep the information safe. It consolidates everything you need to know about the status of your storage device in one secure location.
The i.C3® supports clinical laboratories in their efforts to meet regulations for storing reagents and patient specimens. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) All Common Checklist provides guidance on how these items should be stored. For example, if a reagent manufacturer specifies a required temperature range, the temperature must be monitored daily.
In addition, if the laboratory identifies a problem with a reagent used for patient testing (including unacceptable storage conditions), the laboratory must evaluate the potential impact on patient test results and retain records of the evaluation and actions taken.
A clinical laboratory can provide evidence of compliance by keeping records of reagent storage that demonstrate consistency with the manufacturer's instructions. Labs also need to show evidence of corrective action taken if acceptable temperature ranges are exceeded, including evaluation for adverse effects.
i.Series® laboratory refrigerators and freezers support compliance by monitoring the temperature inside the storage device. High or low temperature alarms activate if the temperature exceeds or falls below the alarm limits. In addition, the i.C3® stores temperature data and an Event Log.
The Event Log includes event acknowledgement functionality, which enables users to record the cause of an alarm and the corrective action taken. This record is captured along with a signature, date, and timestamp.
An important feature of the i.C3® is the ability to download this information via USB, which provides documentation for compliance. While temperature readings and a list of alarm events can be downloaded as data files, PDF download functionality is also available.
Downloading PDF files provides users with pre-formatted temperature graphs and alarm event history reports. The PDF reporting functionality is easy to use and automatically generates graphs, so there is no need for users to create them from data files.
A series of videos has been created to demonstrate the major functions of the i.C3® Information Center, including a video on the download functionality.
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Additional information is available in our i.C3® Guide for PDF Reports. It provides details on the PDF download function, along with sample temperature graphs and alarm event history reports.
