Diagnosing fever accurately has been a key component of healthcare and diagnosis for a very long time now. While the first instances of clinical thermometers were made with mercury and inserted into the mouth under the tongue, today we have a much more efficient, safe and reliable method of measuring body temperature.
No-touch infra-red thermometers are a relatively recent development in healthcare, they provide simple, fast and accurate readings without the need to physically touch the patient. To help illustrate the benefits of using no-touch infra-red thermometers, here are the five key advantages of utilising them for temperature diagnosis in healthcare.
No-touch infra-red thermometers are an accurate way of reading a temperature
No-touch thermometers work by measuring the infrared energy coming off the body, specifically the forehead where it is most often used. The thermometer converts this energy reading into Centigrade or Fahrenheit and provides the healthcare practitioner with a reading on a display. As the human skin is a great emitter of infrared energy this provides an accurate reading of body temperature and is very useful for screening for fever.
They are fast and efficient
One of the most useful benefits of the no-touch infra-red thermometer is that it provides temperature readings within one second of being applied. This is particularly important in healthcare situations where multiple patients might need to be screened one after another, such as a ward or infectious disease clinic. The speed of the no-touch thermometer allows dozens of patients to be screened in a very short timeframe, saving busy healthcare providers time and allowing them to focus their energy on other priorities.
They are non-invasive
The no-touch infra-red thermometer is used approximately thirty to sixty centimetres from the patient’s forehead. This makes it completely non-invasive when compared to thermometers intended to be used under the armpit or in the mouth. This makes a big difference to patients, particularly those that need their temperature read on a regular basis. The non-invasive nature of the no-touch thermometer means that patients can have their temperature read even while they are sleeping, with no need to wake them up or disturb them. This is particularly useful when taking the temperature of babies, children or the elderly.
They minimise the chance of spreading pathogens
Perhaps the most important aspect of the no-touch infra-red thermometer is the fact that it can provide accurate readings without needing to come into physical contact with the patient. This completely eliminates the spread of pathogens passed through physical touch, such as from the patient’s saliva, mucus or unwashed hands. Similarly, it protects the patient from being infected by a sick member of the healthcare staff, minimising the spread of disease throughout the medical facility.
They are relatively inexpensive
While a non-contact thermometer might be slightly more expensive per unit than thermometers used under the armpit or orally, their speed allows them to be used more broadly, meaning that a single no-touch thermometer is often enough for a whole ward of patients. This efficiency will also save the healthcare facility time, freeing staff up to focus on other aspects of their jobs.Â