Authorities in Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, have launched a targeted inspection initiative focusing on the management of cold chain systems within medical institutions and businesses involved in cold chain supply. The goal is to standardize the handling of temperature-sensitive medical devices and identify potential safety hazards.

The operation, conducted by the local market regulation bureau and its comprehensive enforcement team, scrutinized nine public medical institutions at the city and county levels. The inspection rigorously covered four critical areas: qualification verification, procurement and receipt checks, in-transit logistics, and storage and usage protocols.

During procurement reviews, officials verified supplier credentials, invoices, and temperature and humidity logs accompanying shipments to ensure the quality and safety of reagents and other equipment. At the storage and usage stage within hospitals, checks were performed on the operation of specialized refrigeration units and electronic monitoring devices, as well as the expiration dates of reagents, to confirm compliance with required storage standards.

Issues such as expired reagents discovered during the inspection have been referred to the local market regulation bureau for formal investigation and legal action, reinforcing accountability through strict enforcement.

For the four local companies operating cold chain businesses, the inspection scope was broader. Officials examined not only supplier qualifications and internal storage methods but also verified the calibration of remote temperature and humidity monitors, the condition of cold rooms and insulated containers, and the readiness of backup power generation systems. This included checks on whether companies could receive immediate alerts during power failures and if their emergency response plans were both comprehensive and tailored to their specific operations.

One company with faulty backup power equipment was ordered to suspend its cold chain-related activities until corrective measures are completed and approved. Other minor infractions identified were required to be rectified on the spot.