The world has rapidly changed since the COVID-19 pandemic altered how we approach our daily lives. From social distancing measures to wearing masks – a whole range of preventative measures have become the norm.
Experts suggest that a transition towards normalcy will be required before life goes back to pre-pandemic levels. Protective measures, vaccine rollouts, and subsequent public reactions will all need to be closely monitored to understand how the world will change long-term.
Subsequently, businesses are looking for ways to adapt. Many are planning to implement measures that ensure their employees are safe and their workspaces are compliant when staff can finally return.
Temperature Scanners for the New Normal
Temperature scanners will play a vital role in monitoring public and work environments in the future. By quickly reading someone’s temperature you can determine whether one of the possible symptoms of COVID-19 – a high temperature – is present, and thus the need for the subject to self-isolate.
However, there are a variety of thermometer tools available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Businesses are already using temperature scanners to identify symptoms, while cameras that detect body heat called imaging scanners are also rising in popularity.
When choosing which thermometer tool is right for you, it can be helpful to look towards the technology that healthcare professionals are using.
Temperature Scanners for Healthcare
Healthcare professionals require temperature scanners that offer the accuracy and safety that’s essential within a medical environment. Additionally, they must be easy to use and have the functionality to easily monitor or track readings.
Most importantly, healthcare facilities don’t just use temperature scanners to monitor COVID-19. They are a vital method of monitoring signs in many patient conditions or illnesses –so the scanning devices they use need to be reliable and robust.
For business thermometers, these professional grade thermometers could be useful for safely monitoring employee temperatures and keeping a record of employee health. Put simply, if its good enough for healthcare professionals, it will help protect employees and make them feel safer returning to work.
What are the Temperature Scanners Used By Healthcare Professionals?
In-ear Digital Thermometers
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in-ear thermometers were common in healthcare practices. They measure the temperature of the inner ear to determine the patient's temperature via a small probe in the ear canal. They provide accurate readings within seconds, but they also require close contact and cleaning before and after use. This has made them less common in recent years, and not the ideal choice for monitoring COVID-19.
Contactless Infra-Red Temperature Scanners
Infra-red technology determines temperature by taking a reading of heat coming from the surface of a patient's skin, which is typically the forehead. For monitoring COVID-19, contactless temperature scanners have become vital due to ease of compliance with social distancing measures. They also don't require cleaning after use.
These temperature scanners require staff to manually conduct the temperature scan, however, this also allows them to record the reading, if needed.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Thermal cameras are a popular choice of temperature scanner because you can measure patient temperature without human interaction. You can mount them on a permanent fixture at entry-ways or places with high footfall, and intuitively monitor each subject's temperature. This is achieved by using infra-red technology to detect heat radiating from the skin and creating a thermal image.
In healthcare environments, temperature scanning needs to be monitored on a patient-by-patient basis while the risks of COVID-19 are still high. For example, a healthcare professional must monitor each member of the public who enters the environment and make sure they are scanned by the thermal imaging camera.
In the future, this technology is likely to become more common in healthcare environments as society learns to live with COVID-19 as the norm. It can even be used to measure large groups of people at once.
What to Look for in a Temperature Scanner for Businesses
Mitigating risk within a healthcare or office environment doesn't just entail temperature scanning. Cleaning surfaces, reducing close contact, avoiding the spread of germs, and washing hands are all necessary to stop the spread of viruses or even everyday bacteria.
However, business temperature scanners can be a vital tool to improve employee trust and sense of wellbeing, while helping you keep your workplace compliant.
