The Heat is On: Why the Temporal Artery Thermometer Should Be Your "Go-To"

Nurses are on the front line of patient care. Taking and evaluating vital signs is one of the first steps to determine a diagnosis and plan of care. As a nurse, you want to use equipment that you can rely on to give you accurate readings. This article will explain why the Exergen TemporalScanner thermometer should be your top choice.

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The Heat is On: Why the Temporal Artery Thermometer Should Be Your "Go-To"

With nurses on the front line of patient care, evaluating vital signs is the first step in making the right diagnosis. There are several types of thermometers to consider and the decision ultimately boils down to which thermometer you can rely on to get the quickest, most convenient and most accurate reading - every time. We understand that many, but not all, nurses are using the Exergen TemporalScanner at work - even though it is the most convenient, easy to use, non-invasive and proven accurate thermometer available. If you're not, here are some reasons why it should be your top choice:

Accuracy Backed By Science

In a recent survey of the allnurses.com membership, you told us that accuracy is your highest consideration when deciding what thermometer to use. How do you know which thermometer gives the most accurate reading? By understanding the science. No other thermometer has the body of scientific support behind it than the TemporalScanner.

There are more than 55-published peer reviewed clinical studies supporting the Exergen TemporalScanner's accuracy across all ages from preterm infants and babies to adults and geriatric patients. Here are some highlights:

  • A study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing favorably compares the temporal artery and axillary temperatures in healthy newborns. [1]
  • A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing compares temporal artery to rectal temperature measurements in children up to 24-months with a positive outcome.[2]
  • A study in Oncology Nurse Advisor recommends use of the professional temporal thermometer in adults.[3]
  • A comparison of temporal artery to mercury and digital temperature measurement in pediatrics published in the International Emergency Nurse.[4]
  • A study in the Journal of Emergency Nurse determines temporal artery temperatures are accurate enough to replace rectal temperature measurement in pediatric patients.[5]

These studies and 50 more mean that you can be more confident of the temporal artery thermometer's accuracy than that of any other thermometer.

How Our Temporal Artery Thermometer Works

As you may know, the best place to measure temperature is the center of the heart. The temporal artery is connected to the heart via the carotid artery, directly leading from the aorta, the main trunk of the arterial system. The temporal artery is located at the front portion of the forehead and is the only artery positioned close enough to the skin surface to provide access needed, and constant perfusion necessary to take an accurate measurement.

Gently Stroke The Temporal Thermometer Across Forehead

As you gently stroke the temporal artery thermometer across the forehead, it crosses over the temporal artery. The sensor in its probe does two things:

  1. Scans like a video camera, capturing naturally emitted infrared heat from the arterial blood supply at about 1,000 "frames" per second, locking in the highest temperature it senses.
  2. Measures the surrounding area temperature of the site where the temperature is being taken.

The patented "arterial heat balance" (AHB) software then synthesizes the two separate readings to accurately determine and display the body temperature.

Temporal artery temperature is not affected by the things that can cause oral and underarm temperatures to be misleading. Drinking, coughing, talking or breathing through the mouth can easily affect oral temperature. Skin blood flow changes from a fever can easily affect axillary temperature accuracy. None of these interfere with getting an accurate reading from a temporal scanner.

Dr. Marybeth Pompei, Chief Clinical Scientist At Exergen Corporation, On Proper Use

The single most important thing to ensure accuracy is to use the thermometer correctly. The Exergen website offers a Virtual Classroom where nurses can watch a brief training video to learn how to take a consistent and accurate reading with the TemporalScanner. The website also addresses what factors might be causing inconsistent results. Also available are extensive clinical resource materials and links to clinical studies.

Patient Comfort Matters: Fast and Non-Invasive

You told us that second to accuracy, what matters most to you in a thermometer is ease of use with your patients. Since the temporal artery thermometer gives a reading with just a swipe across the forehead, you don't have to wake or disturb a sleeping patient to take their temperature. This is particularly helpful when you need to take the temperature of a sleeping baby, child or an elderly patient.

Valuable Cost Savings: Guaranteed For Life

Are you satisfied with the thermometer you're using at work? If not, speak up! It may be that your purchasing department or supervisor might not know how cost-effective the TemporalScanner is - and if they did, they might thank you! The Exergen TemporalScanner offers a 90 percent cost savings over other thermometers because it doesn't require the use of disposable covers (they are optional). The vast majority of hospitals have approved the use of an alcohol or other hospital approved disinfectant wipe of the probe head between patients. The Exergen TemporalScanner has a lifetime warranty which covers the entire instrument and includes all repair charges, making it a smart investment for your purchasing department or supervisor, and a successful cost saving measure credited to you for suggesting it.

Take These Benefits Home

Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner: a professional version used in doctor's offices, hospitals and other clinical settings, and a consumer model sold in major retailers nationwide. Between the two, more than one billion temperatures are taken with the Exergen TemporalScanner each year!

For more information about the Exergen TemporalScanner visit www.exergen.com. Contact Exergen at 1-800-422-3006

References

[1] Haddad, L., Smith, S., Phillips, K.D., and Heidel, R.E. (2012). Comparison of temporal artery and axillary temperatures in healthy newborns. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 41, 383-388; doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2012.01367.x

[2] Bahorski J, Repasky T, Ranner D, Fields A, Jackson M, Moultry L, Pierce K, Sandell M(Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare). Temperature measurement in pediatrics: a comparison of the rectal method versus the temporal artery method. In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 24 February 2011, Journal of Pediatric Nursing (2011).

[3] Hughes D. Study recommends use of professional temporal thermometer in adults. Oncology Nurse Advisor April 27, 2013.

[4] Isler, A., et al. Comparison of temporal artery to mercury and digital temperature measurement in pediatrics. Int. Emerg.Nurs. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2013.09.003

[5] Reynolds M, et al. Are temporal artery temperatures accurate enough to replace rectal temperature measurement in pediatric ED patients? J Emerg Nurs. 2012 Nov 8. pii: S0099-1767(12)00329-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2012.07.007. [Epub ahead of print]
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This is a sponsored article brought to you by allnurses.com in conjunction with the advertiser. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect allnurses.com, its parent company, or its staff.

Exergen Corporation

About Exergen Corporation

(Trusted Brand)

Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for doctors' offices and hospitals, and a consumer model sold in major retailers nationwide. More than one billion temperatures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner. The Exergen TemporalScanner's performance is supported by more than 60 peer-reviewed published studies covering all ages from preterm infants to geriatrics and all care areas from hospitals to homes. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I prefer the reflective infrared non contact thermometer....industry has used the same technology to like find a hot spot in machinery, where like a bearing is going out...you only have to be one inch or less over an artery as carotid, temporal etc.....

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Specializes in Oncology.

I hate these things. Wish my hospital never switched to these. You must have some sales team because they're the most unreliable piece of equipment I've used outside of our bladder scanners- they have you beat. I shouldn't be able to take a temp on one side and get 38 and on the other side get 36.7. Even on myself I can get temperatures ranging across a 2 degree centigrade range just sitting at the nurse's station. And they fall apart. They're all being held together with tape.

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Specializes in ER.

I used them at one hospital and was thankful when they came within one degree of any other temperature measurement method. I even wrote to the manufacturer for tips on getting a more accurate reading. My personal record for difference in temps is four degrees Farenheit, and the temps were taken within ten minutes of each other.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I threw away the tympanic thermometer I'd received for a baby shower gift for this same reason. It would always give readings as much as 2-3° F different, depending on how I held the thermometer and ear. I maybe used it once or twice.

Sounds like the temporal ones have similar issues.

The other day I had a pt going into shock, and she clamped down. She felt cold, but her esophageal temp on the monitor read 38° C. Wouldn't that affect the reading too, since there's that layer of cold skin between the thermometer and the artery?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I hate these. I get a different temp every time I use it. A variance of 1-3 degrees. A huge deal. If I have a patient I'm really worried about I use another method no matter what.

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Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

I hate temporal thermometers -- for the same reasons as stated above by previous posters!

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I guess I don't mind it so much as it keeps the site free for us cheapskates. As long as it's clear that it's sponsored I can read it or not. I knew by the username that it was so I'm okay with it.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

I found that my .99 oral thermometer was just as accurate as the temporal scan thermometers. I shun this product

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
big al lpn said:
I found that my .99 oral thermometer was just as accurate as the temporal scan thermometers. I shun this product

I've had more inaccurate readings with temporal thermometers even Exegen brand. I had one reading 101.8F. Client cool as a cucumber. Axillary temp 97.1 which was more consistent with the clinical presentation of the client. Never mind first attempt 101.8, recheck in 2 minutes 103.2F, other side 99.5F. Axillary 97.8F consistent with clinical observations. Nice in concept but unfortunately neither accurate nor reliable in my experience. Dollar store digital thermometers are in my experience superior in accuracy and portability.

Though I have found temporal to be marginally more accurate than tympanic which vary greatly in ambient conditions

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Specializes in Oncology.

Our bone marrow transplant patients get really thrilled when the TA thermometers get a temp of 38.2 the night before discharge and we have to panculture them, restart Zosyn for another week, and delay their discharge, then they insisted on a recheck two minutes later and it's 37.4. Sorry friend, too late. Can't risk it. I bet their insurance company loves it too. So does our bed manager. But you saved us discharge and admission paperwork, so yes, these things are awesome

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Am I going to get a press ganey survey about reading this article?

It wasn't ALWAYS accurate and ALWAYS informative

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