Re: no touch infrared thermometers

23/07/2020 at 11:05 am #77042

Participant

Author:
Maree Sommerville

Position:
Senior Infection Control Nurse Consultant

Organisation:
VICNISS

State:

Hello Glenys,
I have heard there were issues regarding the infrared temperatures.
They have swung on to the market and are everywhere.
Ripe for a validation study!

Two things are possible:

Infrared thermometers are inconsistent and do not report accurately

Older people may not always present with a temperature when they have an infection (and in the examples you give, they may not have had one in the NH)

Safer Care Victoria has produced a tool asking staff to report daily typical and non-typical symptoms. This then triggers a response.
For your interest the link is below.
https://www.bettersafercare.vic.gov.au/resources/tools/covid-19-screening-tool-for-residential-aged-care-services#goto-usingthe-covid-19-screening-tool
Aged care services in Victoria have begun reporting this to SCV via a VICNISS portal this week.

I am sure there are better articles on aged care and infection but the below link is a simple and quick 2 minute read.
https://khn.org/news/seniors-with-covid-19-show-unusual-symptoms-doctors-say/

Maree

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au
Email: maree.sommerville@mh.org.au

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
792 Elizabeth Street | Melbourne | Victoria | Australia | 3000
doherty.edu.au
[VICNISS_RGB – Copy]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Glenys Harrington
Sent: Tuesday, 21 July 2020 6:10 PM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] no touch infrared thermometers

Hi Kelly,

Thank for responding.

Are you using the no contact thermometers on you patients or just screening at the entrance to your facility?

Regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
E: infexion@ozemail.com.au
[Description: ICC Diagram ICCversion]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of Kelly Barton
Sent: Monday, 20 July 2020 8:59 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] no touch infrared thermometers

Hi all,
We are currently using the infrared contactless thermometers for several reasons for quite a while we couldnt get the probe covers for the tympanic thermometers as they were in very short supply. We have found them good as long as they are used correctly. They do not work well at the entrance screening points however, as the cold air coming into the building means they have to be constantly recalibrated. They also do not work well on cold skin. The infra net thermometers we are using are TGA approved and have been supplied by DHHS.

Cheers,
Kelly
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work and live, and respect their ongoing custodianship of the land. I pay respect to Aboriginal people, and Elders past and present.

[cid:image001.png@01D65E74.01B82170]

Kelly Barton
Infection Prevention & Control Officer
RN BHSc (Nursing). Grad Cert (Infection Control)(Advanced Acute Care). Nurse Immuniser. Cert IV T&A
Email: kelly.barton@alpinehealth.org.au
Office: 03 5751 9364
Mobile: 0409 885 002
Fax: 03 5751 9396
Address: 30 ODonnell Ave, Myrtleford VIC 3737
Website: http://www.alpinehealth.org.au
P Reduce, re-use, recycle. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Glenys Harrington
Sent: Saturday, 18 July 2020 10:47 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] no touch infrared thermometers

Dear all,

I note previous concerns about the accuracy of no touch infrared thermometers below.

Has there been any recommendations in relation NOT using these thermometers in clinical areas?

Think we are missing COVID-19 cases in aged care settings because of the use of such thermometers in this setting.

Have had 2 recent confirmed COVID-19 residents who were afebrile at the facility but febrile on arrival at the hospital.

Im looking for any specific directive that may have come out?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Glenys

Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
E: infexion@ozemail.com.au
[Description: ICC Diagram ICCversion]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of Michael Wishart
Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2020 10:44 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi Sue

We looked at contactless infrared contactless thermometers, but the actual temperature measurements provided were not considered accurate enough by our physicians.

We use mainly infrared ear thermometers in our adult patients, with a probe cover, and wipe with a detergent wipe between uses.

One of the advantages of an ear thermometer is that it does not come into contact with mucous membranes, and therefore the question about high level disinfection between patients is avoided.

But I know there are physicians who will not rely upon infrared ear thermometer readings, although we find they tend to be quite accurate, provided they are taken correctly and the ear used is not inflamed.

Cheers
Michael

Michael Wishart | Infection Control Coordinator, CICP-E

St Vincents Private Hospital Northside | 627 Rode Road CHERMSIDE QLD 4032
T +61 7 3326 3068 | F +61 7 3607 2226
E michael.wishart@svha.org.au |
W https://www.svphn.org.au

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From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of King, Sue
Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2020 9:15 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi all,
Does anyone use contactless infrared thermometers?
In the current environment it may seem prudent to use them.
We use Covidien thermometers and go through 100 probe covers a day on one ward.
It would be good to reduce the level of plastic discarded too.

Regards,
Sue

Sue King
Nurse Unit Manager/Infection Prevention and control

[http://www.ramsayhealth.com/~/media/Images/email/email-RHC-logo]

Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital
Tully Ward
Phone:

03 9841 1272

Fax:

03 9842 7276

Email:

KingS@ramsayhealth.com.au

Web:

http://www.ramsayhealth.com

Address:

1119 Doncaster Road, Donvale Vic 3111

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From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of Angela Carvosso
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2020 2:59 PM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi Debra,

We use probe covers or the thermometers dont work anyway. I have always wiped them down with the cleaning wipe supplied to wipe down the rest of the obs machine. Its standard practice to clean between each patient. I would of thought if proper cleaning has been used with wipes rated to kill the microorganism and use of covers sufficient for general use with dedicated equipment wherever possible for people in isolation.

Regards Angela Carvosso
RN Warwick Health Services

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From: Debra Lee
Sent: Monday, 2 March 2020 9:50 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi all,

Has anyone else been asked if oral thermometers should undergo HLD to comply with 4187, as the probe comes in contact with a mucous membrane?
There is heightened awareness around COVID 19 transmission and it was raised that a probe cover is not considered sufficient protection without HLD for other sites

If you could please let me know what processes do others use for cleaning of oral thermometer probes between each patient?

Kind regards,

Debra Lee
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Infection Management and Prevention Service
West Block Ground floor
Redcliffe Hospital
Redcliffe, Qld 4020
Ph: (07) 3883 7300
debra.lee@health.qld.gov.au
metronorth.health.qld.gov.au
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