Findings from a recent study published in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing support the use of the temporal artery (TA) thermometer as an acceptable alternative for noninvasive temperature monitoring in perioperative areas for adults undergoing elective surgery. The study examined agreement between various temperature measurement methods during the perioperative period. Oral, axillary and temporal artery thermometers were assessed.
The study, conducted by Barringer et al (2011), was designed to determine the extent to which TA readings were consistent with oral and axillary readings obtained electronically by standard practice. The feasibility of replacing these methods with temporal artery thermometry was also examined. Data were collected from 86 subjects, ages ranging from 18 to 86 years of age, who had temperatures taken pre- and postoperatively with oral, axillary and TA thermometers.
The temporal artery readings were taken with the Exergen TemporalScanner, which was found to record the fastest temperature readings in both pre- and postoperative instances when compared to oral and axillary methods. Further, the results found the TA thermometer consistently provided accurate temperature readings on the first attempt, making it more cost-effective than other electronic methods.
“Complementary to other recent studies that prove the accuracy of temporal artery thermometry, the results of this study demonstrate the validity of TA methods for older patients in pre- and post-surgical settings,” said Francesco Pompei, Ph.D., CEO of Exergen Corporation. “We developed the patented TemporalScanner™ to provide consistent, quick and accurate readings in a noninvasive manner. This research further shows the TemporalScanner exceeded both oral and axillary methods in each area of examination.”
Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for doctors’ offices and hospitals, and a consumer model sold in major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, Costco, Sam’s Club, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kroger, and BJ’s. More than 800 million temperatures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner. Used in thousands of hospitals, clinics, and pediatricians’ offices in the country as well as in millions of homes, it is also the only thermometer manufactured in the United States. The performance of the Exergen TemporalScanner is supported by more than 40 peer-reviewed published studies covering all ages from preterm infants to geriatrics and all care areas from hospitals to homes.
Exergen Corporation is recognized worldwide as an innovator and leading manufacturer of patented infrared thermometers, scanners, sensors and controls. The company holds more than 60 U.S. patents for non-invasive temperature measurement devices. Its products are used in a wide variety of industrial and medical applications for both professionals and consumers. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.