Understanding the Impact of Temperature Fluctuations on Lab Testing and Results

How temperature monitoring can protect labs from worst-case scenarios and compliance challenges

Imagine your laboratory stores decades’ worth of priceless, irreplaceable, and highly temperature-sensitive research materials. 

Now imagine that a cleaning crew, annoyed by the persistent beeping of a refrigerator or freezer temperature alarm, shut off the freezer completely in order to make it stop.

Unfathomable, right?

Well, that’s exactly what Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York claims happened in 2023 when the school, according to NBC News, “filed a million-dollar lawsuit against a cleaning company after a custodian, seeking to stop an ‘annoying’ beep, allegedly turned off a lab freezer and killed decades of ‘groundbreaking’ research.”

A lab freezer was set at -80 degrees Celsius, and even a “small temperature fluctuation of three (3) degrees would cause catastrophic damage and many cell cultures and samples could be lost,” according to the lawsuit. 

The freezer was under repair, hence the beeping and a sign had been placed warning not to turn it off.

In its lawsuit, seeking $1 million in damages, RPI said the freezer was “used by researchers studying how plants use photosynthesis to create energy.”

“The Graduate Research Staff discovered that the freezer was off and that the temperature had risen to the point of destruction of the contained research," the complaint said, per the NBC News report, adding that "a majority of specimens were compromised, destroyed, and rendered unsalvageable, demolishing more than 20 years of research."

Although this alleged incident illustrates the dangers of temperature fluctuation on precious assets at a macro level, even slight fluctuations in temperature can have a major impact on sensitive materials.

“The impact of temperature variations on microbiological research cannot be overstated,” reported The Microbiologist, a digital publication of Applied Microbiology International, the oldest microbiology society in the United Kingdom. 

Maintaining stability ensures professionals safeguard valuable assets, comply with stringent regulations, and ensure the accuracy of test results.

“Unfortunately, incidents resulting in eventual specimen degradation are all too common.”

Laboratories play a critical role in a variety of industries—from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to food safety and environmental sciences.

Regardless of the field, accurate and reliable testing is essential for ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

One of the most significant factors that can influence the accuracy of lab results is temperature. 

Improper temperature management can lead to compromised samples, inaccurate test results, wasted resources, and even regulatory violations.

According to the American Society for Microbiology, 55% of microbiology laboratories perform over 200,000 diagnostic tests annually. “Every single one is vital for identifying, characterizing, and diagnosing diseases,” The Microbiologist said, “so inaccurate findings cannot be tolerated.”

In this article, we will explore how temperature fluctuations impact lab testing and results, and we will examine how Internet of Things (IoT) devices like Sonicu’s remote wireless temperature monitoring system can transform temperature monitoring in laboratories.

By using Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, such as those from Sonicu, labs can protect their assets, reduce manual processes, increase labor savings, and automate compliance with regulatory standards. 

Scores of laboratory professionals turn to Sonicu today to monitor, alert and log their temperature-sensitive assets and streamline cumbersome compliance. 

The Importance of Temperature Control in Laboratory Testing

Laboratories often work with temperature-sensitive materials such as reagents, biological samples, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

These materials must be stored, handled, and tested within specific temperature ranges to maintain their integrity.

Even slight deviations from the required temperature can alter the chemical composition of these substances, degrade samples, or cause reactions that lead to inaccurate or unreliable test results.

1. Impact on Chemical Reactions

Many laboratory tests rely on precise chemical reactions, and these reactions are highly sensitive to temperature changes. A slight variation in temperature can alter reaction rates, affecting the speed and outcome of the test. For instance, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing in molecular biology relies on cycling temperatures for DNA amplification.

Even small temperature inconsistencies can lead to failed amplification or false results.

2. Sample Degradation

Biological samples, such as blood, tissue, and cells, are particularly vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. When stored outside of their optimal temperature range, these samples can degrade rapidly, leading to compromised or unusable specimens.

This is particularly concerning in fields like clinical diagnostics and research, where accurate analysis of biological samples is crucial for patient care and scientific discovery.

3. Pharmaceutical Stability

In pharmaceutical labs, temperature-sensitive drugs and compounds must be stored under tightly controlled conditions to ensure their potency and safety. Temperature fluctuations during storage or transportation can cause these drugs to lose their efficacy, resulting in inaccurate test results and even dangerous outcomes when used in medical treatments. 

Retail pharmacies like Discount Drug Mart as well as hospital-based pharmacies like Hancock Health rely on Sonicu’s simple and affordable temperature and environmental monitoring system to protect their scarce drug supply and simplify their compliance.

4. Quality Control and Product Testing

In industries such as food safety, environmental testing, and cosmetics, laboratories must conduct stringent quality control tests to ensure that products meet safety and regulatory standards. 

Temperature fluctuations can skew test results, leading to incorrect assessments of product safety, quality, and compliance. For example, food testing labs rely on temperature-sensitive methods to detect pathogens like salmonella or listeria. Inaccurate results could have serious public health implications.

Many of the nation’s most respected research universities rely on Sonicu to provide trusted remote wireless temperature and environmental monitoring to protect their research from the threat of temperature excursions. 

5. Regulatory Compliance

Many industries are subject to strict regulatory requirements regarding the handling and storage of temperature-sensitive materials. 

In healthcare, for instance, the Joint Commission has stringent guidelines on temperature control for hospital-based laboratories working with pharmaceuticals, biologics, and diagnostic products. Failure to maintain proper temperature conditions can lead to non-compliance, which may result in adverse audit outcomes. 

Thanks to feedback from customers across a range of compliance-focused industries, Sonicu has engineered an industry-leading reporting system that delivers compliance reports accepted by virtually all of the most common regulatory agencies.

Customers are even able to ask for custom reporting, like Central Missouri Health did, to meet specific state-mandated requirements. 

Failing to maintain proper temperature control in the laboratory can have wide-ranging consequences, both in terms of financial costs and potential harm to public safety. 

The most common impacts include:

1. Compromised Data Integrity

When temperature-sensitive materials are exposed to fluctuating conditions, the reliability of the test results can be compromised. This can lead to false positives or negatives, incorrect diagnoses, or inaccurate product assessments. In turn, this compromises the overall data integrity of the research or product testing process.

2. Wasted Resources

Temperature fluctuations can lead to the loss of valuable samples, reagents, and materials, resulting in wasted time and financial resources. For instance, in a clinical lab, a batch of blood samples might become unusable due to improper refrigeration, forcing the lab to retest or recollect the samples, leading to delays and increased costs.

Sonicu’s alerting engine is designed so users can tailor their alerts to ensure the right person receives the right alert at the right time. The alerting engine also features predictive algorithms that detect false alerts, reducing alarm fatigue, so alerts are responded to appropriately and not ignored. 

3. Delayed Test Results

When a test has to be repeated due to temperature-related issues, it can lead to significant delays in reporting results.

In fields like clinical diagnostics, where timely results are crucial for patient treatment, such delays can negatively impact patient outcomes. In pharmaceutical testing, delays may slow down the drug development process, increasing the time it takes to bring new treatments to market.

4. Regulatory Penalties

Non-compliance with temperature control guidelines can lead to failed audits, fines, and sanctions from regulatory bodies such as the FDA and CLIA. Repeated violations may result in a loss of accreditation or the suspension of lab operations.

Sonicu’s reporting engine delivers audit-ready reports for virtually every major regulatory body that can be automatically delivered to your inbox or created instantly from anywhere, so you’re always ready for a snap inspection. 

5. Damage to Reputation

A lab that consistently produces inaccurate or unreliable test results due to poor temperature control will likely suffer damage to its reputation. Clients, patients, and regulatory bodies rely on labs to produce high-quality, dependable results. 

Repeated issues related to temperature control can erode trust and lead to the loss of clients or partnerships.

Far too many users contact Sonicu after they’ve suffered a regulatory citation and need fast and reliable monitoring solutions that can demonstrate regulatory compliance.

The Sonicu remote wireless monitoring system can be self-installed or professionally installed with NIST-certified sensors, and the majority of users enroll in the SNAP certification program that automatically updates sensors so NIST compliance is essentially on autopilot. 

How IoT Devices Revolutionize Temperature Monitoring in Laboratories

Given the significant impact that temperature fluctuations can have on lab testing and results, ensuring precise and continuous temperature monitoring is paramount. 

Traditional temperature monitoring methods often rely on manual checks and data logging, which are time-consuming, prone to human error, and not always reliable.

However, advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring technology offer a game-changing solution for laboratories.

You can learn more about how our software helps compliance professionals in these case studies:

Katherine Shaw Bethea:

Problem: Needed pharmacy temperature monitoring following refrigerator loss across many remote clinics 

Solution: Simple Sonicu installation and configuration simplified standing-up remote systems 

MiraVista Diagnostics

Problem: Burdensome, labor-intensive legacy temperature monitoring 

Solution: Remote, wireless autonomous monitoring to drive down manual processes 

Xytex Sperm Bank 

Problem: Too many false alarms on cryo monitoring led to ignoring an alarm 

Solution: Smart alarms that don’t produce alert fatigue

Hamilton County Health Department

Problem: Data loggers that lacked remote viewing capabilities and compliance automation 

Solution: Remote viewing capabilities for weekend peace of mind and simple compliance 

These Sonicu users represent a handful of the thousands of users who rely on our simple and affordable monitoring solutions to protect their precious assets, automate compliance and reduce cumbersome manual processes. 

What Are IoT Devices for Temperature Monitoring?

IoT devices for temperature monitoring are digital wireless sensors that can measure and record environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure differential in real time.

These devices are connected to a central monitoring system that allows lab managers to remotely monitor conditions and receive alerts when parameters fall outside of acceptable ranges.

IoT devices are especially valuable for monitoring multiple areas, such as refrigerators, freezers, and testing rooms, where temperature-sensitive materials are stored or handled.

 Sonicu is an industry leader in IoT monitoring systems with a diverse range of applications, including door open monitoring, leak detection monitoring, and even CO2 monitoring. 

The Benefits of IoT-Based Temperature Monitoring

The implementation of IoT-based temperature monitoring offers several key advantages that help laboratories protect assets, improve efficiency, and eliminate manual processes.

1. Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts

One of the most significant benefits of IoT temperature monitoring is the ability to continuously monitor environmental conditions in real-time. Unlike manual checks, which are typically conducted at set intervals, IoT devices provide constant surveillance of the lab environment.

If the temperature deviates from the set threshold, the Sonicu system immediately triggers an alert, allowing lab personnel to take corrective action before any damage occurs.

• Immediate Action: For example, if a freezer containing important biological samples begins to warm up due to equipment failure, the Sonicu system will send a real-time alert to lab personnel via text or email. This allows for immediate action to either repair the freezer or relocate the samples, preventing potential sample loss.
• 24/7 Monitoring: IoT devices operate around the clock, providing peace of mind even outside of regular working hours. Lab managers can monitor conditions remotely via a mobile app or web dashboard, ensuring constant oversight even when the lab is unstaffed. Emergencies rarely call ahead to set a reservation, so it’s critical to have 24/7 monitoring that is always ready to alert a temperature excursion. 

2. Elimination of Manual Processes

Traditional temperature monitoring methods typically involve manual checks using thermometers or data loggers. 

These methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and susceptible to human error. IoT devices like Sonicu automate this process, eliminating the need for manual recording and reducing the risk of inaccurate data collection.

• Labor Savings: Automating temperature monitoring frees up valuable time for lab personnel, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks such as conducting experiments or analyzing data. This can result in significant labor savings, particularly in large labs with multiple temperature-sensitive areas.
• Error Reduction: IoT devices eliminate the risk of human error in temperature recording. Since the system automatically collects and stores data, there is no risk of missed readings, incorrect entries, or overlooked temperature fluctuations.

3. Comprehensive Data Logging and Reporting

IoT devices not only provide real-time monitoring but also automatically log temperature data over time. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining compliance with regulatory standards that require comprehensive records of temperature conditions.

• Regulatory Compliance: In industries such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, regulatory bodies often require detailed records of storage conditions for temperature-sensitive materials. An Internet of Things remote monitoring system can generate automatic logs of temperature data, ensuring compliance with standards set by the FDA, CDC, and other regulatory bodies. These logs can be easily accessed and shared during audits or inspections.
• Trend Analysis: Continuous data logging allows labs to analyze temperature trends over time, identifying patterns that could indicate potential issues with equipment or environmental conditions. For example, if a refrigerator consistently struggles to maintain the required temperature during peak hours, the lab can address the issue before it leads to equipment failure.

4. Reduced Risk of Sample Loss and Waste

Temperature-sensitive materials such as biological samples, reagents, and pharmaceuticals are often costly to obtain and difficult to replace.

Temperature monitoring helps labs protect these valuable assets by minimizing the risk of temperature excursions that could lead to sample degradation or loss.

• Asset Protection: With IoT monitoring, labs can be confident that their samples are stored under optimal conditions at all times. By preventing temperature excursions, IoT devices protect against costly sample losses, ensuring that testing can proceed as planned without interruptions or delays.
• Minimized Waste: In addition to protecting samples, IoT monitoring can help reduce waste by ensuring that reagents and chemicals are stored properly and used within their shelf life. This leads to cost savings by minimizing the need to discard materials that have been compromised due to improper storage.

5. Predictive Maintenance and Equipment Longevity

IoT temperature monitoring systems can be integrated with predictive maintenance tools to help identify potential equipment failures before they occur. 

By continuously monitoring the performance of refrigerators, freezers, and other temperature-sensitive equipment, the system can detect anomalies that may indicate an impending failure.

• Preventative Action: For example, if a freezer’s compressor begins to show signs of wear, the monitoring system can alert lab personnel to perform maintenance before the equipment fails completely. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of unexpected equipment breakdowns, preventing costly repairs and sample losses.
• Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regular maintenance and timely repairs can extend the lifespan of lab equipment, saving money on replacement costs and ensuring that labs can continue to operate without disruption.

Sonicu’s temperature monitoring solutions offer customers a broad range of benefits and features that help them protect their most precious assets:

• Advanced Alarming: Cloud-based software capabilities with predictive algorithms for tailored alarming to reduce alarm fatigue and spot trends.
• Reporting: Automated logging and reporting are unrivaled in the industry for effortless regulatory compliance.
• Flexible Transmission: Replace server-based systems and eliminate IT concerns with a variety of transmission options, including: Cellular, SoniLink, WiFi, and Ethernet.
• Battery and Data Backup: Industry-leading battery life on all sensors. In the event of a power outage, Sonicu's wireless sensors continue to keep you notified. The Duo meter also stores data locally so that any connectivity outage will not impact data continuity. The system will automatically sync the monitoring data and even show where the interruption and reconnection occurred. 

Conclusion

Temperature control is a critical aspect of laboratory operations, and even minor fluctuations can have far-reaching and too often devastating consequences for the accuracy and reliability of test results and asset protection. 

From chemical reactions to biological sample integrity, maintaining proper temperature conditions is essential for protecting assets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering reliable data.

Wireless temperature monitoring solutions provide a transformative approach to temperature monitoring in laboratories.

By offering real-time monitoring, automated data logging, and predictive maintenance capabilities, IoT devices help labs protect their valuable assets, reduce the risk of sample loss, and eliminate time-consuming manual processes.

Additionally, remote monitoring technology ensures that laboratories remain compliant with stringent regulatory requirements while providing significant labor savings.

In a world where accuracy and efficiency are paramount, the adoption of temperature monitoring in laboratories represents a crucial step toward ensuring the highest standards of performance and safety.

By embracing this simple-to-use and affordable technology, labs can focus on what they do best: advancing scientific discovery, improving patient care, and ensuring product safety in industries ranging from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to food safety and environmental testing.