Thermometer for Sensory Issues

Specialties School

Published

I know there are several threads on the best thermometers, but working with all special needs kids who very rarely tolerate an ear thermometer (forget about oral!) I am looking for a no contact infrared thermometer.

A poor little student was burning up and it took 3 people and 45 minutes to get a temperature reading using the ear thermometer. Thankfully the temperature wasn't dangerously high, but definitely needed to get him some Motrin or Tylenol and get him home.

I read a review about the Welch Allyn CareTemp that it was very inaccurate. I am about to order the SantaMedical No Contact Infrared Thermometer. Any thoughts?? The price difference is HUGH! (Welch Allyn $300, SantaMedical $30). Which makes me question the durability, accuracy, and overall quality.

HELP! I am at a loss and don't want to make a wrong choice and waste the money!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

When Ebola came to town three years ago our district bought VeraTemp temporal scanners. I have no idea of efficacy but we were all given them to use with the screening protocol so I *assume* someone did research.

We know that nothing's as accurate as a core temp measure (but we don't really do those so oral is the closest!) So...when you say the cheaper version is inaccurate, does that mean by one degree? Three degrees? The VeraTemp is accurate within 0.5 degrees (I used to attempt to calibrate to make sure).

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i have a vera temp as well - i bought it when i realized that all these kids want is to have their temperatures taken for everything and that i was going through a box of probe covers before i even finished my morning coffee. I call the vera temp my malingerer buster.

I like it because it's no contact. I do find that it has a bit of an error factor and is a bit sensitive to things like cold skin from JUST coming in from outside or taking a temp from a sweaty forehead. I usually click two temps in different spots just to be sure that it's consistent. If it gives me two totally different temps then i may break out my tympanic as a tie breaker. But i'd say that 98% of the time it's dead on.

ETA: I bought another non contact one in my last order - don't recall the company, but i got in from school health. It can also function as a tympanic. I don't love it - not saying it's not accurate but it's hard to click - have to click it to wake it up then it talks in this weird voice and announces the temp to the whole room.

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I just got a Veridaian touch-free and it works really well. Quick, easy and seems to be as accurate as my VeraTemp(which have been discontinued. It's 27.75 from School Nurse Supply.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

VeraTemp is my go to. I have checked accuracy against an oral temp and if any it is only off by

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I have a thermoscan...when I use it I ALWAYS add a degree.

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

No matter how hard I try I can never get a reading above 95 with the dang infrared thermometers. I do think that this or a temporal would be the best option for special needs students, however.

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VeraTemp for me too. I also check in 2 places, especially if the student is warm to touch and it's telling me 98.2.

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Specializes in School health, pediatrics.

Question, we have a veratemp. I have been practicing using the right "distance" from the forehead. If the center of forehead says 98,7 and further over toward the temple says 100.2, do you send home, or double check with an oral?

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Question, we have a veratemp. I have been practicing using the right "distance" from the forehead. If the center of forehead says 98,7 and further over toward the temple says 100.2, do you send home, or double check with an oral?

Do what I did, get a tympanic.:roflmao:

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Granted, I'm not a school nurse, but I'm having a hard time comprehending why you would need a temperature badly enough to do this, especially with a child with special needs.

A poor little student was burning up and it took 3 people and 45 minutes to get a temperature reading using the ear thermometer.

I can't begin to imagine what he or she was experiencing while this transpired. If this had been in the PICU and I was present, it would not not have gone on nearly that long.

Sorry, off soapbox.

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Don't want to start an argument but i will defend it. It took that long because we do not force anything. It took three people to sit with, play with, and support the emotional needs of the child. Respect is my number one policy. I hope you know that I would NEVER force anything, but merely sit and help the child process what is going on through narration, sensory modalities, and straight up empathy. I normally don't respond to posts like this, but when it questions my character I must put it into context. Thank you for requiring the clarification.

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