New Research Supports Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometry Accuracy and Efficiency in Pre-Hospital, Emergency Settings

WATERTOWN, Mass., April 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine revealed the Exergen temporal artery thermometer (TAT) is more accurate and practical for paramedic use in pre-hospital settings than the in-ambulance digital thermometer (DT). The study was conducted by the emergency services system within the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region in Canada. Based on the favorable findings, the Regina emergency services system now uses temporal artery thermometers.

The impetus for the study was an inconsistency among in-ambulance DT (or pre-hospital) and emergency department (ED) patient temperature readings (ED-DT) when the patient arrived. A total of 818 patient temperatures were monitored with the TAT 5000 and the DT in both settings over the course of two, one-month trial periods, with both the TAT and DT compared to the hospital ED-DT reading used as a reference standard. Once data was compiled, paramedics were questioned on the ease of use and overall satisfaction with the temporal artery thermometer.

The data showed that the in-ambulance DT averaged 1.2ºC (2.2ºF) lower than the ED-DT hospital reference, while the TAT averaged only 0.1ºC (0.2ºF) difference compared to the ED-DT hospital thermometer. Paramedics reported higher satisfaction rates for the TAT, as 97 percent said it was easier to use, and 98 percent indicated it saved time. 

"This independent study is another powerful testament to the superior accuracy and efficacy of the temporal artery thermometer in the most challenging of emergency settings," said Francesco Pompei, Ph.D., CEO of Exergen Corp., maker of the Exergen TemporalScanner. "This is particularly important in the pre-hospital setting where timely decisions are of the utmost importance."

Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for doctors' offices and hospitals, and a consumer model sold in major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreen's, Rite Aid, Costco, Sam's Club, Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, Kroger, and BJ's. More than 1 billion temperatures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner. Used in thousands of hospitals, clinics, and pediatricians' offices in the country as well as in millions of homes, it is the #1 selling retail thermometer and #1 preference of pediatricians in the US. The performance of the Exergen TemporalScanner is supported by more than 40 peer-reviewed published studies covering all ages from preterm infants to geriatrics and all care areas from hospitals to homes. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.

Carleton E, Fry B, Mulligan A, Bell A, Brossart C. Temporal artery thermometer use in the pre-hospital setting. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine 2012;14(1):7-13.

This study was not affiliated with Exergen.

The Exergen Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10660