Land van Horne is a Dutch healthcare foundation with several elderly care homes. One of its facilities, caring for about 50 residents, recently switched from ear thermometers to the Exergen TAT-5000S Temporal Artery Thermometer. The aim was to improve patient comfort, reduce stress for dementia patients, and simplify daily workflows for staff.
The Challenge
The facility had relied on conventional ear thermometers with disposable covers. While familiar, they presented multiple drawbacks:
- Stressful for residents: Inserting a device into the ear often caused fear or even aggression among dementia patients.
- Operational inefficiencies: Disposable caps required constant replacement, and empty dispensers frequently disrupted routines.
- Hygiene and accuracy concerns: Precise positioning in the ear canal was difficult, sometimes leading to unreliable readings.
With 36 residents on a somatic ward and 20 in a dementia ward, the nursing team sought a patient-friendly, reliable, and cost-efficient alternative.
The Solution
In April 2025, the home piloted the Exergen TAT-5000S, a professional infrared thermometer that measures via a gentle scan across the forehead and behind the ear.
Key advantages for long-term care:
- Non-invasive, stress-free measurement
- No disposable caps required; easy cleaning with alcohol wipes
- Durable, hospital-grade design
- Fast, accurate readings to support timely decisions
Implementation
Five thermometers were introduced: two in the dementia ward and three in the somatic ward. Devices are stored together with other vital medical instruments, making them easy to access and disinfect.
Training was simple. A short instruction sheet was posted in the wards, and staff quickly mastered the procedure. Around 25 caregivers now use the devices in daily practice.
Results
The benefits were clear from the start:
- Comfort for residents – especially those with dementia, who often did not even notice the measurement.
- Time savings – no more probe covers or empty dispensers interrupting care.
- Positive staff response – caregivers reported smooth adoption, with no major drawbacks.
- Cost and waste reduction – eliminating disposable caps saves money and supports sustainability.
- Reliability – cleaning with alcohol wipes is easy, ensuring hygienic and accurate use.
One nurse noted: “It is quick, simple, and our residents don’t feel threatened. For us, it just works better in every way.”
Conclusion
The pilot at Land van Horne shows how non-invasive thermometers improve both patient experience and caregiver efficiency. By replacing ear thermometers with the Exergen TAT-5000S, the facility reduced stress for residents, simplified workflows, and cut recurring costs.
As the first care home within the organization to adopt the technology, this pilot lays the groundwork for expansion to other facilities and other homes in the coming years.
Exergen P/N 850563
