New Product

[mitllesmertz1]

I've used many different thermometers in the hospital, and in the field lately.
Typically they all have drawbacks, and make them kind of unreliable, unless used rectally, which for me has it's own drawbacks. :)
I've recently used a new one, this is without a doubt the best device I have ever seen.

I've been here long enough for you guys to know I'm not a salesman- this is a seriously cool product.

Reads the tympanic artery temp, takes about 5 seconds.
We compared it to numerous rectal temps the last week, it's always within 1 degree.
Research says it's the closest to PA temp you can get.

Only drawback I can find is the skin has to be dry (we just wiped it off with a 4X4). great for kids (non-invasive), great for mouth-breathers, and we all know tympanics are always wrong.

Check it out, if you can get a trial device, you'll love it.

http://www.exergen.com/medical/TAT/5000.htm

Here's a link to a video on the scanner, it's pretty big but it shows how it works quite well.

http://www.exergen.com/medical/videos/TemporalScanner.mpeg

[Adam07003]

Are you an EMT-Basic? If so where? Our protocols dont allow for taking the temperature of a patient.

[Dave404]

Are you an EMT-Basic? If so where? Our protocols dont allow for taking the temperature of a patient.

Im sorry but are you joking! Temp is required for baseline vitals, and entry level ambulance attendant (Emergency medical responders) have the ability to take temps.
Adam - do you work for scary-ambulance.com? :D

[Adam07003]

Not in my protocols temperature isn't. We can only do "Warm/Cold" basically, we can't actually give a real reading. We were never given the material in school, just to feel the skin for skin color/temperature/condition. Maybe they skipped over that part in school but we were never told to get a temp readout, just to see if its warm/cold. Im in NJ (well NY now)

[LeuitEFDems]

The local ER here got them about a year ago, and love them. As for MA and temp taking, Medics have thermometers in the med kits (at the service I work for anyway) for heat/cold emergencies, pneumonia, etc.

[croaker260]

We have hospital grade oral/rectal theromometers in every rig, and the old fasioned ones in the kits. The fire based QRU also carries (old style wal-mart grade)tympanics as well.
Our local trauma center carries these new ones and love them. ANd they are really very easy to use.

BTW, getting a temp is in our BLS protocols.

[mitllesmertz1]

We also have the oral/rectal thermometers, and they suck!
And if taking a temp is beyond the scope of practice of an EMT-B,
WTF!!!! is wrong in this country!!!

[SSTONER]

Are you an EMT-Basic? If so where? Our protocols dont allow for taking the temperature of a patient.

Are you sure your protocols do not allow it OR you were just never specifically told/shown how to use the thermoeter?

In my EMT- Basic course they nevr had us practice taking temps but it is certainly part of your assesment.

If your PT has a CC of a fever how do you document the PT temp in your patient care report - you just put "cold" OR "hot"?

[DrParasite]

Are you sure your protocols do not allow it OR you were just never specifically told/shown how to use the thermoeter?

In my EMT- Basic course they nevr had us practice taking temps but it is certainly part of your assesment.

If your PT has a CC of a fever how do you document the PT temp in your patient care report - you just put "cold" OR "hot"?
it's not in the protocol. As adam said, we can say the person feels warm, hot, cold, cool, but our training (in NJ) does not include an actual degree measuring. We do not carry any thermometers on our ambulance, nor are we instructed in their use. however, if I ask my mother, I'm sure she can give anyone a lesson in how to use them :D

From what I can recall, taking a rectal temperature isn't in the NYS BLS protocols either. when i was up there, we had these disposable oral things, but I never saw them used.

In response to the fever question asked by mr stoner, the answer is you say "the patient CC of a fever. per patient, his temperature is 103.1. Pt is shivering but is warm to the touch." when he gets to the ER, the staff there will take his temperature.

in NJ, an EMT can't do anything invasive. the power that be might consider putting any object into a persons orafice to be an invasive procedure. I don't make the rules, I just try to follow them.

[Resq14]

One would think that if a patient were hypothermic or hyperthermic, a quantitative value (104.4... 88.0) would be more useful than a qualitative value (hot... cold).

Strange. With such rationale, Dr, OPA's/NPA's would be considered "invasive" -- and that's a laugh.

Anyway, looks like a cool product.

[Weruj1]

While it is not in our protocols we can and do take temps orally if needed. We use this thermometer>>>>>>>>>> http://www.buyemp.com/product/1040705.html
and this one too >>>>>>>>http://www.buyemp.com/product/1040701.html
As one other poster said: "this aint rocket surgery !!!!!!"

[wag11c]

It's a nice little thing to have a baseline temp of a pt, but what does it do to change your treatment protocol? We have tympanic thermos, but I don't see haow it makes a difference in how I treat my pt's . Mittle-help me out on this.We do have a protocol for pt's with temps over 104, ahh hell I just answered my own question. Forgive me. I'm out of work with a back injury and am taking Vicodin and Skelaxin so never mind me.

[lexfd5]

We had/have that style and went back to the hospital grade ones. They may seem nice and easy but they suck down the batteries. You have to go slowwww to get a good reading.

[SSTONER]

it's not in the protocol. As adam said, we can say the person feels warm, hot, cold, cool, but our training (in NJ) does not include an actual degree measuring. We do not carry any thermometers on our ambulance, nor are we instructed in their use. however, if I ask my mother, I'm sure she can give anyone a lesson in how to use them :D

From what I can recall, taking a rectal temperature isn't in the NYS BLS protocols either. when i was up there, we had these disposable oral things, but I never saw them used.

In response to the fever question asked by mr stoner, the answer is you say "the patient CC of a fever. per patient, his temperature is 103.1. Pt is shivering but is warm to the touch." when he gets to the ER, the staff there will take his temperature.

in NJ, an EMT can't do anything invasive. the power that be might consider putting any object into a persons orafice to be an invasive procedure. I don't make the rules, I just try to follow them.

Do you not work with a base Hospital? The state of Arizona has protocols also but the Doctor at your base hospital can change those protocols.

For example - Border Patrol has EMT's - per the State of Arizona an EMT can not start an IV - However, the base hospital for Border patrol allows them to start IV's in the field. I can not however and we use the same base hospital.

So I understand that NJ has its "rules" but it seems the hopital your doing telementary with could ask you to take the PT's temp.

And what about OPA's? Seems a bit more evasive than a thermometer.

We have thermometers on all our rigs. The patient Care Forms have a spot for the temp as part of base line vitals - if appoperiate I take their temp.

I am surprised NJ lets you use Oral Glucose - wouldnt want to be invasive!

I am not bustin your chops - but it seems silly to me.

[SSTONER]

We do have a protocol for pt's with temps over 104,

Same here....even one for basics!

[CH47Doc]

Not in my protocols temperature isn't. We can only do "Warm/Cold" basically, we can't actually give a real reading. We were never given the material in school, just to feel the skin for skin color/temperature/condition. Maybe they skipped over that part in school but we were never told to get a temp readout, just to see if its warm/cold. Im in NJ (well NY now)


ROFL< OMFG! Did you ever touch your classmates to see what a 'normal' skin temp is>? pffft....lame

[Resq14]

Right now in my state, most people would register "cold" on your qualitative scale... just as they probably would in many places in the northern hemisphere this time of year. :rolleyes:

A little common sense can go a long way...

[mitllesmertz1]

We have tympanic thermos, but I don't see haow it makes a difference in how I treat my pt's . Mittle-help me out on this.
Good question Wag, it just helps narrow down what I think is wrong with the pt, and make a plan. Part of the "working diagnosis" thing.

If they're unconscious and hypotensive, part of my "what the hell" assesment might be a quick temp. Ahhh, they're 90 degrees, that's wierd.

"Wet" lung sounds, but a temp of 102. Maybe not give em Lasix, could be pneumonia. Lasix really doesn't help people with infections in the lungs, we qwant em to be nice and hydrated to make the phglem less sticky.

There are many examples, I have hada few times where a temp made me go "Aha!", and alter the course of my treatment.

Helps us to make intelligent treatment decisions versus cookbook medicine.

[jjones1418]

We have the temporal scan thermometers on our ambulances. That's the same one we carry. They work great on children that won't hold that oral thermometer in their mouth. I've had nothing but good luck out of them.

Great to have, in my book.

-- J.Jones

[rolandthunder]

We have the old oral rectal ones but they never get used. Does this gizmo give you hypothermic readings? Thats really the only time we would use it to establish a starting temp in that situation. But Im guessing if we had it we would use it more.

How do you go about getting a trial one?