Operating Principles; The Different Methods Of Temperature Measurement; Advantages Of Temporal Artery (Ta) Temperature; Practical Considerations When Taking A Temperature - VISIOMED ThermoFlash LX-260TE Manual Del Usuario

significant change in the ambient temperature due to a change in environment, to allow the
ThermoFlash® LX-260T EVOLUTION to acclimatise to this ambient temperature for 15 to 20
minutes before using it. It is important to allow a one minute interval between two measurements.
III. OPERATING PRINCIPLES
All objects, solid, liquid or gas, emit energy by radiation. The intensity of this energy de-
pends on the temperature of the object. The ThermoFlash® LX-260T EVOLUTION in-
frared thermometer is therefore able to measure the temperature of a person by the
energy the person emits. This measurement can be taken thanks to an external temperature
probe on the device which permanently analyses and registers the ambient temperature. There-
fore, as soon as the operator holds the thermometer near the body and activates the radiation
sensor, the measurement is taken instantly by detection of the infrared heat generated by the
arterial blood flow. Body heat can therefore be measured without any interference from the heat
of the surrounding environment.

The different methods of temperature measurement

- Core temperature
Core temperature is the most precise measurement and involves measuring the temperature in
the pulmonary artery by means of a catheter equipped with a thermal probe which can read the
temperature in situ. The same method is employed for probes measuring the oesophageal tem-
perature. However, such invasive temperature measurement methods require specific equip-
ment and expertise.
- Rectal thermometry
Rectal temperature adjusts slowly in comparison to the evolution of the body's internal tempera-
ture. It has been demonstrated that rectal temperature remains raised long after the internal tem-
perature of the patient has started to drop and vice versa. Furthermore, rectal perforations have
been known to occur as a result of this method and without appropriate sterilisation techniques,
rectal thermometry can spread germs often found in faeces.
- Oral thermometry
Oral temperature is easily influenced by recent ingestion of food or drinks and by breathing
through the mouth. To measure oral temperature, the mouth must remain closed and the tongue
lowered for three to four minutes which is a difficult task for young children to accomplish.
- Axillary (armpit) temperature
Although it may be easy to measure axillary temperature, it has been proven that it does not
provide an accurate measurement of the child's internal temperature. To take this type of tem-
perature, the thermometer must be wedged tightly over the axillary artery. Despite the low sen-
sitivity and relative inaccuracy of axillary temperature in detecting fever, this method is recom-
mended by The American Academy of Pediatrics as a screening test for fever in newborns.
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- Tympanic thermometry
In order to obtain a precise temperature reading, good command of the measurement technique
is required. The thermometer probe must be placed as close as possible to the warmest part of the
external ear canal. An incorrectly placed probe could lead to a false temperature reading.

Advantages of temporal artery (TA) temperature

Infrared arterial temperature can be measured using a device placed on the forehead, in the tem-
poral artery region. It has been demonstrated that this relatively new method of measuring tem-
perature is more precise than tympanic thermometry and better tolerated than rectal thermometry.
The ThermoFlash® LX-260T EVOLUTION thermometer has been designed to produce an instant
forehead temperature reading without any contact with the temporal artery. As this artery is
quite close to the surface of this skin and therefore accessible and given the blood flow is perma-
nent and regular, it allows precise measurement of the temperature. This artery is linked to the
heart by the carotid artery which is directly linked to the aorta. It forms part of the main trunk
of the arterial system. The efficiency, speed and comfort of taking a temperature from this area
make it ideal compared with other temperature measurements methods.

Practical considerations when taking a temperature

- In order to ensure that precise and accurate temperature measurements are obtained, it is es-
sential that each user has received adequate information on and training in the temperature
measurement technique when using such a device.
- It is essential to remember that although procedures such as taking a temperature may be
simple they must not be trivialised.
- Temperature should be taken in a neutral context. The patient must not have undertaken vigorous
physical activity prior to taking his/her temperature and the room temperature must be moderate.
- Be aware of physiological variations in temperature which must be taken into consideration
when evaluating the results: temperature increases by 0.5C° between 6am and 3pm. Women
have a temperature that is higher, on average, by around 0.2C°. Their temperature also varies in
accordance with their ovarian cycle. It rises by 0.5C° in the second half of the cycle and at the
early stages of pregnancy.
- When sitting, temperature is lower by about 0.3° to 0.4°C than when standing.

How to measure a temperature

SEE SCHEMA A PAGE 2.
Aim at the FOREHEAD, over the right temporal region, from a distance of about
2-5cm, press the thermometer's measurement button and the temperature is instantly
displayed.
The reliability of the measurement cannot be guaranteed if the temperature is measured over
another part of the body (e.g. arm, torso...).
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