How To Clean A Non-Contact Thermometer?
The TRITEMP™ is a non-contact thermometer designed for clinical use in hospitals and healthcare settings, the following steps outline how to clean the device. The Instructions for use set out the full cleaning instructions for the device.
The sensor is the most fragile part of the device and great care should be taken when cleaning the device. Use only the cleaning agents recommended below.
• To clean the sensor use a cotton bud moistened with isopropyl or ethyl alcohol and gently wipe the lens of the device using a side to side motion. Avoid touching the lens except when cleaning is required.
• The device exterior can be cleaned by wiping gently with a cloth moistened in a mild soapy detergent.
• Ensure liquid does not enter the device and NEVER submerge in water or liquid.
• Do not use water to clean the lens. Ensure the device is completely dry before use.
Why is it Important to Know How to Clean a Thermometer?
A thermometer should be cleaned regularly as part of the standard procedures in every hospital and medical setting. Cleaning a thermometer is important for a number of reasons, namely infection control.
It’s important to know how to clean the thermometer to avoid damage that could affect accuracy of readings, such as water ingress to the circuit board or scratching of the sensor/lens.
Infection Prevention and Cleaning
Lack of proper cleaning of thermometers can pose a big infection risk, especially when it comes to contact thermometers. 70 patients in the Neurosciences ICU at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, were infected with a potentially deadly fungal pathogen called Candida Auris. The infection spread was traced back to contact thermometers.
Non-contact thermometers should never touch the patient, and therefore pose less risk. However, they are handled by nurses and do come into contact with surfaces so they still need to be cleaned. This process should be much easier as bodily fluids such as earwax are not an issue with these types of thermometer.
Accuracy
Cleaning a thermometer properly is important to the correct functioning of the device.
Thermometers are one of the most used devices in hospitals, used on every ward, on every patient, for every condition, and therefore over time can experience a build-up of dirt which has the potential to affect the accuracy of readings. Build-up of dirt and other substances can form a film across the sensor of the thermometer, having an impact on infrared absorption.
Cost & Time Implications
Improperly cleaned thermometers could be returned incorrectly as defective, and this impacts on both nurses’ and engineers’ time.
Devices may need to be checked or replaced, meaning wards could be short on devices for some time.
How to Clean the TRITEMP™ Non-Contact Thermometer ?
FAQ’s
• To clean the sensor use a cotton bud moistened with isopropyl or ethyl alcohol and gently wipe the lens of the device using a side to side motion. Avoid touching the lens except when cleaning is required.
• The device exterior can be cleaned by wiping gently with a cloth moistened in a mild soapy detergent.
• Ensure liquid does not enter the device and NEVER submerge in water or liquid.
• Do not use water to clean the lens. Ensure the device is completely dry before use.
Some low quality non-contact thermometers aren’t accurate. TRITEMP™ is a medical grade device, CE marked for quality and is accurate to +/-0.2°C.
