If you like to keep a well-stocked medical kit at home, one of the essential medical devices there is a thermometer. During utilization, the tip of a thermometer gets exposed to mucus membranes and bodily fluids all of which can carry many different kinds of germs. As a result, the device attains a microbial buildup that subsequently increases the chances of cross-contamination. Therefore, it is recommended to disinfect a thermometer after every use.
Hence, the question is not about yes or no. Rather, it is about how. In this article, let us learn step by step how to disinfect a thermometer with a special focus on digital, ear, forehead, as well as rectal devices.
How to Disinfect a Thermometer? A Step-by-Step Guide
To disinfect a thermometer, the following steps should be followed:
1. Disinfecting Digital Thermometers
Clean Your Hands
Before starting to disinfect a digital thermometer, make sure that your hands are properly cleaned. You can either wash them thoroughly with soapy water or use a good quality hand sanitizer.
Wipe the Thermometer Clean
The first step for cleaning is to wipe the entire thermometer with a cotton swab moistened with antimicrobial agents. These agents are effective in killing bacteria as well as many contagious viruses present on the surface of the thermometer thus effectively preventing cross-contamination. Hence, to clean a thermometer, any of the following can be employed:
· Rubbing alcohol (≥60%)
· Ethanol (at least 70% strength) or alcohol wipes
· Isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
· Bleach wipes
Rubbing alcohol is a mixture is isopropyl alcohol, wintergreen essential oils, denaturants, as well as certain color additives in an aqueous base. As for the bleach wipes, a disinfectant solution of sodium hypochlorite is the main ingredient.
Wash the Tip of the Thermometer
To disinfect a thermometer tip, prepare a mixture of soap and water and rinse it on the tip of your device. Avoid using hot water for the process as it can destroy the tiny sensor in the tip.
Air Dry the Thermometer
Once the cleaning process has completed, put the device on a clean paper towel or a soft cloth and let your digital thermometer air dry. Wait until all the moisture has evaporated. Cover the tip of the digital thermometer and store it in a cool and dry place until next use.
2. Disinfecting Ear Thermometers
Ear or tympanic thermometers have a sensor quite similar to that in digital thermometers. Therefore, a similar disinfection method can be employed to disinfect a thermometer of this kind. Make sure to cover the sensor of the thermometer immediately with a disposable probe cover to keep it hygienic.
3. Disinfecting Forehead Thermometers
To disinfect a thermometer which is used temporally, the above-mentioned process is employed. In addition, the sensor of the forehead thermometer needs to be wiped first using a damp cloth or a cotton pad soaked in lukewarm water followed by a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Let the thermometer dry before putting the sensor cover on.
4. Disinfecting Rectal Thermometers
As the rectal thermometers come in direct contact with the patient’s fecal matter, these require a thorough cleaning even if the same thermometer is to be used in the same person. Hence, for rectal devices, the following steps need to be followed when it comes to disinfect a thermometer:
   ·   Clean the fecal matter from the thermometer by using antibacterial liquid soap. Repeating the process twice is preferable.
· Once cleaned, employ the rubbing alcohol method given in the above section to wipe the thermometer.
· If rubbing alcohol is not available, a cotton ball or pad dipped in bleach can also be used. In addition, glutaraldehyde as well as iodine can also be employed to disinfect a thermometer as per the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Caution:
· Do not dip any kind of thermometer directly into any disinfectant solution as the electronic components of the device can get permanently damaged.
· Do not use boiling water in any step while you disinfect a thermometer. Always prefer either lukewarm or cool water for this purpose.
· Prior to disinfect a thermometer, go through the manufacturer’s instructions if the use of a certain disinfectant or process has been recommended.
Conclusion
Thermometers have extensive utilization in homes as well as in medical facilities. This frequent use subjects them to microbial buildup which can then become the reason for causing an infection to the patients.
Therefore, there is a need to thoroughly clean all kinds of thermometers, even the non-contact ones, after every use. For this purpose, a step-by-step procedure given in the article to disinfect a thermometer should be followed so that you can get the best performance from your devices with maximum safety.
While buying all different kinds of thermometers, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached as they not only ensure the provision of quality products but also offer satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
