temporal themometers

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i was wondering if any of you have the new temporal ones in your facilities and use them, and what you think of them overall. I tend to use them as long as the pt is not sweaty or covered in dressings but i also touch their skin just to double check its not entirely wrong as well, i am still learning if i should trust it or not. . .

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I haven't heard of them, yet. But I would think you would only be getting a skin temp and not a core temp. I don't like tempanic temps either because I don't feel they are accurate. Oral or rectal is the way I trust. Rectal is most accurate.

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Specializes in Medical.

I read a Best Practice review last week which said that tympanic themometers are accurate (to within 0.2 degrees Celsius), even with the presence of some ear wax, provided you tug ont he earlobe as you insert the probe.

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I have used the temporal thermometers at a facility I worked at. They are easy to use, accurate, and quick. Basically scan across half the forehead, down in front of the ear and stop behind the earlobe.

But, I am stubborn, if a kid has a temp over 102, it still gets the red tip. Not very many rectal temps differed more than a couple of points from the tympanic.

bob

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Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care.

We trialed one but management opted not to use it. They said it wasn't accurate, although my understanding had been that the temporal thermometers were supposed to be the most accurate. We currently use tympanics (but they are taking them away) and oral thermometers.

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read a Best Practice review last week which said that tympanic themometers are accurate (to within 0.2 degrees Celsius), even with the presence of some ear wax, provided you tug ont he earlobe as you insert the probe.

they ARE accurate ...but only IF they are directed at the typanic membrane correctly....and there is no way to adequately gauge if you are or not....i'd rather be safe than sorry.

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If they have rejected the temporal thermometers and are taking away the orals and tympanic, what is left?

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