Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. USE OF THERMOMETER Different Types of Thermometers Whichever type of thermometer you choose, be sure you know how to use it correctly to get an accurate reading. Keep and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for any thermometer. Digital thermometers usually provide the quickest, most accurate readings. They come in many sizes and shapes, are available at most supermarkets and pharmacies, and are available in a range of prices. Although you should read the manufacturer's instructions to determine what method or methods the thermometer is designed for, many digital thermometers can be used for the following temperature-taking methods: oral (in the mouth) rectal (in the bottom) axillary (under the arm) Digital thermometers usually have a plastic, flexible probe with a temperature sensor at the tip and an easy-to-read digital display on the opposite end. Electronic ear thermometers measure the tympanic temperature — the temperature inside the ear canal. Although they're quick and easy to use in older babies and children, electronic ear thermometers aren't as accurate for infants 3 months or younger as digital thermometers and are more expensive. Plastic strip thermometers (small plastic strips that you press against your child's forehead) may be able to tell you whether your child has a fever, but they aren't reliable for taking an exact measurement, especially in infants and very young children. If you need to know your child's exact temperature, plastic strip thermometers are not the way to go. Forehead thermometers also may be able to tell you if your child has a fever, but are not as accurate as oral or rectal digital thermometers. Pacifier thermometers may seem convenient, but again, their readings are less reliable than rectal temperatures and shouldn't be used in infants younger than 3 months. They also require the child to keep the pacifier in the mouth for several minutes without moving, which is a nearly impossible task for most babies and toddlers. Glass mercury thermometers were once common, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now says they should not be used because of concerns about possible exposure to mercury, which is an environmental toxin. (If you still have a mercury thermometer, do not simply throw it in the trash where the mercury can leak out. Talk to your doctor or your local health department about how and where to dispose of a mercury thermometer.) To take an axillary temperature: This is a convenient way to take a patient's temperature. Although not as accurate as a rectal or oral temperature. · Remove your patient's shirt and undershirt, and place the thermometer under an armpit (it must be touching skin only, not clothing). · Fold your patient's arm across the chest to hold the thermometer in place. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-116