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Are tympanic thermometers a source of cross-infection?

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


METHOD
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).


CONCLUSION
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.