Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 123 TEMPERATURE- AXILLARY PURPOSE: Axillary temperatures are taken on patients, as appropriate, to measure patient's body temperature. RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: RN, LPN, HHA, RPT, LPTA EQUIPMENT: Thermometer, Alcohol Preps SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Axillary temperatures are appropriate for: 1. Patients who have had nose surgery. 2. Patients with jaws wired. 3. Patients who are confused or comatose. 4. Newborn infants. 5. Patients experiencing respiratory difficulty. PROCEDURE: 1. Explain procedure to patient. 2. Wash your hands. 3. Provide patient with privacy. 4. Remove thermometer from container. Health care professional can use the electronic digital or glass thermometer to take axillary temperatures. 5. If the glass thermometer displays temperature above 97 degrees F, shake the mercury down below that level. 6. Place thermometer in the center of the axilla, position arm firmly across the chest, and hold thermometer in place. 7. Remove glass thermometer from patient's axilla after 7 to 10 minutes. The electronic digital thermometer can be removed when signaled. Use probe cover as needed. 8. Read the mercury level, then wipe thermometer with alcohol prep. 9. Shake the mercury level down. 10. Store individual thermometer in its own receptacle. 11. Wash your hands. DOCUMENTATION: Record axillary temperature on the Clinical Visit Note. If action is indicated, document follow- up/notification of Clinical Manager and/or physician.