Monday August 14, 2006
Temporal Artery Infrared Thermometry !

As we all know that there are many different ways to measure temperature but what is the most accurate way particularly in ICU ?.

"Temporal Artery Infrared Thermometry" ( TemporalScanner - Exergen ) appears to be more accurate than ear or rectal thermometer in responding to change in fever. It is non-invasive, gentle, fast, easy and reliable to use.

From ICU perspective, there are 3 important points:

• It is as accurate as a pulmonary artery catheter 1.
• It responds faster than temperature taken rectally 2.
• New version contain anti-microbial head to prevent transmission of VRE and MRSA.

Also, it is said to be 90% more cost-effective.

It captures the naturally emitted heat from the skin over the temporal artery, taking 1,000 readings per second, selecting the most accurate. Automatically its Arterial Heat Balance system adjusts the small temperature loss from cooling at the skin.

You can watch the video here (mpeg).


Note: icuroom.net has no financial relationship with any company. Information provided here is 100% for educational purpose.

Refereces:
1. A Comparison of Measurements from a Temporal Artery Thermometer and a Pulmonary Artery Catheter Thermistor. National Conference of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Poster Section, Atlanta, GA March 14-16, 2002. - Carroll DL, Finn C, Gill S, Sawyer J, Judge B (Massachusetts General Hospital).

2. When body temperature changes, does rectal temperature lag behind? PAS Annual Meeting, Baltimore MD, May 4-7, 2002 - Greenes DS, Fleisher GR. Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.