New Study Affirms Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometry (TAT) Is Accurate for Preterm Neonates

WATERTOWN, Mass., April 24, 2018 -- A new study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing¹ shows that Exergen temporal artery temperature measurements are as accurate as axillary temperature measurements in low-birth-weight neonates in the NICU. The study further affirms that nurses spent less time measuring with the temporal artery method than with the axillary method, and that the infants’ prognosis benefited from a decrease in noxious stimuli. The study was conducted across a Level III NICU in the Central/Southeastern United States.

Sixty-eight neonates born between 28 weeks and 36 weeks postmenstrual age cared for in incubators or open cribs were randomly assigned to temperature measurements (axillary followed by temporal artery), which were taken once during the day shift and once during the night shift. Behavioral states of the infants were assessed before, during and after temperature measurement.

Each nurse in the study was trained on the use of the TemporalScanner through an educational video provided by Exergen, which is important to instructing the end user about the product, and in this case, acclimating the thermometer to the neonate’s individual environment before measurement.

The study findings led to a practice change in the NICU, adopting temporal artery thermometry for routine use, after nurses reported higher satisfaction with the TemporalScanner, especially among neonates. 

“These study results confirm the importance of a gentle non-invasive thermometry method in the care of highly vulnerable preterm infants.  Other thermometry methods disturb the baby, which can lead to poorer prognoses for a healthy start to life.” said Francesco Pompei, Ph.D., CEO of Exergen Corporation. “Temperature measurement in neonates should be quick, gentle, and non-invasive.  The Exergen TemporalScanner’s accuracy is backed by more than 70-peer reviewed published clinical studies, setting it apart from other thermometers, and providing a more comfortable and accurate choice over other temperature methods.”

ABOUT EXERGEN CORPORATION
Exergen manufactures and markets two series of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for hospitals and clinics, and a consumer version sold in major retailers nationwide. More than two billion temperatures are taken each year with TemporalScanners.  Used in thousands of hospitals and clinics across the country as well as in millions of homes, TemporalScanners are the #1 preference of pediatricians, #1 preference of nurses, and #1 selling retail thermometer. The Exergen TemporalScanner's accuracy is supported by more than 70 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.

¹ Smith et al. Comparison of axillary and temporal artery thermometry in preterm neonates. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2018 Apr 3. pii: S0884-2175(18)30052-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2018.02.013. [Epub ahead of print]

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