Temporal Thermometer Cleaning

[mrnightinggale]

Recently started a job in an ICU. We use temporal thermometers. What is everyone's' theory/practice on cleaning the thermometer between patients. Obviously for contact precautions, we cavi-wipe them every time we take them out of the room. What about between patients that are not on contact precautions? Interested to hear how everyone does this...

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

We use alcohol wipes between non-isolation pts.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Using anything but alcohol wipes on the sensor will ruin it, according to the manufacturer, so be careful with those Cavi Wipes.

[Karou]

We use alcohol swabs as well.

I hate temporal thermometers though and will use oral whenever possible.

[JeanOfAllTraits]

I use what is probably like your cavi-whipes when I'm stripping down a room. We have thermometers in each room and I wish we had designated stethoscopes, not the cheap iso kind, in every room. I used those wipes on monitoring equipment, room phones, call lights, chairs. Just because the pt wasn't in iso doesn't mean no germs or mrsa/vre that we didn't test for. Plus, I don't sit and watch when the rooms get cleaned between pts. If you can't tell, I'm a germaphobe critical care nurse. :)

[mrnightinggale]

Thanks all. I do like the temporal thermometer for sleeping/trached patients. Just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

[CatherineDavis]

I usually use alcohol wipes or baby wipes after every use. But I have non-contact thermometers too which are very accurate.

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[catherinedavis08]

well alcohol and baby wipes are good but it is better if you follow the instruction from the manufacturer. You can also use a non-contact forehead thermometer. All you need to do it place the device on or near to your child's skin or to your patients skin, press the button and wait a few seconds for the readout to flash up on screen. This is perfect for use on a squirming and uncomfortable child who refuses to sit still, take a look at Thermee by GingerKids | Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer.