Fever in children with cancer is always a cause for concern. Especially for young patients undergoing chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments, a slight rise in temperature can be the first and only sign of a life-threatening infection. In such cases, time is of the essence—quite literally. With this in mind, the Golden Hour Initiative was launched: an international program aimed at ensuring that antibiotics are administered within 60 minutes of arrival at the emergency department. Exergen, known for its non-invasive Temporal Artery Thermometers, is playing a crucial role in supporting this initiative in Latin America.
The Golden Hour program was developed by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States and is now active in more than 85 hospitals across six Latin American countries, including Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. At the recent congress of the Brazilian Society of Pediatric Oncology, the Brazilian hospital GRAACC presented impressive results from its participation in the program. Exergen’s contribution to these results was clearly evident: the company provided not only medical equipment but also training and technical support.
A Simple Yet Effective Approach
The core principle of the Golden Hour Initiative is simple but highly effective. When a child with cancer and fever arrives at the hospital, antibiotic treatment must begin within one hour. This rapid response reduces the risk of sepsis and often prevents serious deterioration of the child’s condition. In practice, however, delays are common. Fever may go undetected or be measured too late, procedures may be too slow, or there may be confusion about the severity of the symptoms. The Golden Hour protocol is designed to address exactly these issues.
This is where Exergen’s technology proves invaluable. The Temporal Artery Thermometer—often the TAT-5000S or TAT-2000 model—takes a quick swipe across the forehead by gently touching it, to measure a patient’s temperature. The process is fast, accurate, and entirely non-invasive. In a busy emergency setting, and especially for already critically ill children, this method is a game-changer. By using the Temporal Artery Thermometer, clinicians and nurses can make faster, better-informed decisions about treatment.
Faster Fever Detection, Improved Outcomes
GRAACC, a leading pediatric oncology hospital in São Paulo, reported that the use of Exergen’s thermometers significantly improves the speed of fever detection and leads to better adherence to the Golden Hour protocol. The hospital presented data showing that timely antibiotic administration improved considerably thanks to the program. Among participating hospitals in Latin America, the percentage of patients who received antibiotics within the first hour increased from 47% to 79%. At the same time, the incidence of sepsis dropped from 16% to 6%.
These results are not only impressive but also sustainable. Participating hospitals receive ongoing support, including educational sessions, data monitoring, and coaching. Combined with the right technology, this approach proves to be not only effective but also scalable and applicable in resource-limited settings.
Timely Intervention Saves Lives
Dr. Francesco Pompei, founder and CEO of Exergen, expressed pride in his company’s contribution: “The data speaks for itself—timely intervention saves lives. Our collaboration with the Golden Hour program shows how our technology enables healthcare providers to act more quickly and effectively in critical situations.”
The Golden Hour Initiative itself is inspired by trauma care, where the first 60 minutes following an accident or infection are considered decisive for a patient’s survival. In pediatric oncology, this concept is just as relevant. St. Jude and its partners—including Exergen—hope to see the initiative expanded into other regions.
Expanding Access to More Children
The next step is to share the experiences and results more broadly. Exergen is working closely with its wide network of distributors in Latin America to reach more hospitals in Latin America and beyond. The aim is to make the protocol, training, and technology accessible to even more children with cancer who are at risk of rapid deterioration due to fever.
The Golden Hour approach stands as a powerful example of how targeted collaboration, supported by smart technology, can genuinely save lives. This initiative proves that innovation and time efficiency often go hand in hand—and that life-saving impact can come from something as seemingly simple as a thermometer. When that thermometer is fast and reliable, it can make all the difference—not just for doctors and nurses, but most importantly, for the children who depend on them.
Link to Study, https://international.exergen.com/download_document.php?id=4
Exergen P/N: 850477, Rev 1
