WATERTOWN, Mass., June 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A recent study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing* found that Exergen temporal artery thermometers (TAT) are more accurate and less invasive than axillary thermometers (AT) in the neonatal setting. The study was conducted in the mother/baby unit of an inner-city hospital, and concluded: “As a result of our findings, we were able to standardize the method of temperature taking on the unit, requiring that all staff measure infant temperatures using temporal artery thermometry.”

The impetus for the study was based on the inconsistency in care amongst nurses and physicians who used either the TAT or AT based on his or her preference. A total of 125 newborns admitted to the unit during a one-month period served as the samples for this study. All were qualified as meeting the predetermined standard of age, weight and blood sugar levels to be considered healthy infants. Temperatures were taken using both methods sequentially every four hours for the first 24 hours of life and every eight hours thereafter until discharge.

The data revealed the average temporal temperature was 36.9°C (98.42°F), which was significantly higher than the axillary temperature of 36.7°C (98.06°F), and less variable than the axillary temperature. These results, along with the proven facts that axillary thermometry is inconsistent, time-consuming and potentially disturbing to the infant, led to the conclusion that temporal artery thermometry is the most appropriate method of care for the mother/baby unit.

“Similar to other recent studies, these findings further demonstrate the accuracy of temporal artery thermometry for patients of all ages, especially the very young,” said Francesco Pompei, Ph.D., CEO of Exergen Corp., maker of the Exergen TemporalScanner. “The temporal thermometer's use on newborns only a few hours old, where temperature is a critical indicator of health, underscores its efficacy and reliability.”

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 one billion temperatures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner. It is used in thousands of hospitals, clinics, and pediatricians' offices in the country, as well as in millions of homes. For the third year in a row it is the #1 selling retail home thermometer and #1 preference of pediatricians in the US. The Exergen TemporalScanner's performance 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.

*Haddad L, Smith S, Phillips K, Heidel R. Comparison of Temporal Artery and Axillary Temperatures in Healthy Newborns. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing 2012; 41(1):383-388.

This study was not affiliated with Exergen.