Thermometers

[bryanboling]

Hello, I work in the ED at the University of Kentucky. We are a level 1 trauma center and we are in the midst of a major redesign project. One of the things that we are trying to do is to improve our equipment. One of our major complaints is that the thermometers that we use are painfully slow (this is especially bad in a trauma situation or any time we need a rectal temp!) We tested a faster one made by the same company, but found that the accuracy was poor. Can anyone recommend one that you've had good success with?

Bryan

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Tympanics are fast but have thier limitations however tehy do have the advantage of flexibilty. They can be used to take local skin temperatures to identify "hot spots".

Limited in neurotrauma and wax filled ears though.

[bryanboling]

A lot of our docs prefer rectal temps in trauma and kids so we need something that has that option. The one we have right now has two probes, one for oral/axillary and one for rectal. We'd like the same format, just a faster model.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

We use what we call "Star Trek" thermometers.....these are moved over the temporal artery (and they make this cool little "trekky" sound while they're scanning). They're great because they can be used for all ages, don't need probe covers, and are both fast and accurate. The patients think they're neat, too. I wouldn't go back to tympanic thermometers for anything!

[bryanboling]

Where could I find out more about these "Star Trek" Thermometers?

[2ndCareerRN]

here is a link on the temporal artery types we have where i work.

http://quickmedical.com/exergen/5000.html

with that out of the way, i have seen them just as inaccurate as the tympanic types. especially on infants, elderly, and people with exposure to either hot or cold.

while the ta will work for most all of your needs, there are still times when a rectal temp is a neccesity. so, don't throw away all of your ivac's with the red probes.

bob

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Thank-you for the information. I never know who I am talking to and where they are from on this board so it is never safe to assume they have the same equipment you do. I am always grateful to see links for equipment that has not yet graces our shores and certainly glad of any heads up about reliability and use of said equipment.