How do you measure temperatures?

Published

Specializes in ICU and EMS.

The unit that I work in is a mixed ICU. We currently measure temps axillary-- which literature says is inaccurate. We have trialed tempanic thermometers with very iffy results. Some of the other units in the hospital use temporal thermometers, and staff complain of inaccurate results with them as well.

We are looking to change our practice, and are willing to spend money.

My vote is to do esophageal temps on the monitor for all intubated patients, and do oral temps on non-intubated patients. What do you think?

How does your unit measure temperatures?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bladder temps and PA cath temps. Otherwise oral.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bladder or oral. Axillary is a last resort.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Should be bladder or oral, Esophagus would be great too....However I happen to love when we use our cooling blankets and have a rectal probe in, and the machine cools the patient down to a set temp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anyone using the Alsius units? I've never had to use one yet but I know neuro uses them from time to time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi

Sarah in Adelaide, Australia here

We started using Alsius units 8 months ago.

Fantastic.

Look like a central femoral line.

Do a great job.

Easy to use. Nice little dial to see the fluid running through that you have to check.

It sure beats the air blankets and coool gel underblankets we used to use.

But we still don't use them much (We only have 2 I think).

Mainly for hypothermia to 32 celcius post cardiac arrest for 24 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

monotherm foley caths. Unless you've got a freak ICU pt that doesn't need a foley (that happens) or someone with a 3way, it's the way to go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu/er.

back of my hand to pt's forehead.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU and EMS.
back of my hand to pt's forehead.

Hahaha!!! I love it!!!

:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
back of my hand to pt's forehead.

LOL..

...or 0.2 degrees higher or lower from the last temp recorded....that way, you don't have to actually go in the room.

:clown:

JK

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We use axillary temps on most of our patients, Bladder temps on our open hearts and our very untstable pyrexial patients get rectal temp probes which connect to our monitors

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

We use a bladder temperature line to the minitot for pts with an IDC with a temp attachment; naso-oesophageal temp line to the monitor on cardiac surg pts & pts without IDC temp attachment; and generally a themometer auxially or femorally otherwise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion