Are tympanic thermometers a source of cross-infection?
OBJECTIVE
To find out if tympanic thermometers are a source of cross-infection in critical care and whether cleaning is effective.


METHODS
An observational study. RESULTS; In most of the inspections the surfaces of the tympanic thermometers looked clean, but three inspections revealed spots of dried fluid and one revealed a dirty base. None of the swabs taken before or after cleaning was positive, but seven of the inspections identified that the lens of the tympanic thermometer was dirty, poSsibly with cerumen (earwax).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this study do not support the assumption that tympanic thermometers are a source of cross-infection in critical care, but a potential risk of cross-infection by this route cannot be excluded.
Farnell
Sarah
S
St George's Hospital NHS Trust, London.
D002571:Cerumen / Q000382:microbiology; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003902:Detergents; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013821:Thermometers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane
D003902:Detergents