The Complete Guidebook on Thermal Screening for Elevated Skin Temperature
Implementing a thermal camera screening solution for entry control can help limit the spread of infection. Get started with this free guidebook.
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Learn important details like:
- How does screening for elevated skin temperature minimize the spread of infection?
- Which screening methodology is best?
- How can I create the best screening station for my facility?
- How do I take accurate measurements?
- What is the most efficient temperature screening workflow?
- What is the best thermal camera for my application?
- Where can I find educational resources or additional support?
Epidemics and pandemics can leave large enterprises that employ and receive thousands of people vulnerable to widespread infection and business interruptions. Without the right entry protocols in place, an employee who has symptoms of an infectious disease, such as a fever, could enter a facility and put the entire workforce at risk of exposure.
Both newcomers and those familiar with thermal imaging technology will benefit from the best-practices outlined in The Complete Guidebook on Thermal Screening for Elevated Skin Temperature.
Can thermal cameras be used to detect a virus or an infection?
The quick answer to this question is no, but thermal imaging cameras can be used to detect elevated skin temperature. FLIR thermal cameras have a long history of being used in public spaces—such as airports, train terminals, businesses, factories, and concerts—as an effective tool to measure skin surface temperature and identify individuals with elevated skin temperature.
When followed by a screening with a medical device, the use of an infrared camera as an adjunctive diagnostic tool may help contain or limit the spread of viral diseases such as bird flu, swine flu, or COVID-19.
What is elevated skin temperature screening?
Infrared thermography can detect elevated skin temperatures which may indicate the presence of a fever. When followed by a screening with a medical device, the use of an infrared camera as an adjunctive diagnostic tool may help contain or limit the spread of viral diseases such as bird flu, swine flu, or COVID-19.
Since the outbreak of serious flu strains such as H1N1, public health authorities have been looking for a reliable method to detect elevated body temperature as part of this disease prevention policy. The focus is specifically on elevated body temperature—or fever—because it is often a reliable indicator of many serious infections. Infrared thermography provides a fast, easy, contactless (non-invasive) method to initially screen individuals for signs of elevated skin temperature. Only those who appear to have an elevated skin temperature would then be screened with a medical device to confirm the presence of fever.
Greater Adoption Into Security Solutions
As more critical infrastructure organizations deploy thermal cameras for elevated skin temperature screening, they will likely prompt greater long-term adoption and integration of radiometric thermal cameras into the overall security and safety solution.
Implementation Recommendations
- Choose a Certified Camera: To ensure optimal reliability and deployment success, choose a thermal camera specifically designed for elevated skin temperature screening with a 510(k) filing (K033967) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Select a Camera with High Resolution: It’s important to use a high-resolution thermal camera for elevated skin temperature screening so you can capture the right pixels to yield accurate readings.
- Ensure Proper Distance for Screening: Distance matters. Make sure the camera is placed at the manufacturer’s recommended distance away from the individual so the camera can focus.
- Measure the Right Spot: Research has shown that the corner of the eye—the region medially adjacent to the inner canthus—provides a more accurate estimate of core body temperature than other areas of skin.
- Set an Alarm Threshold: For FLIR cameras with a Screen-EST™ mode, set an alarm upon detection of a specific skin temperature compared against a sample average of temperature value.
Where do you measure for accurate screening?
Human body temperature is a complex phenomenon. We are homeothermic, radiating heat through layers of skin to control our internal temperature. As a dynamic organ, skin constantly adjusts the optimum balance between the physiologic demands of the body and external environmental conditions.
While the forehead is easier to quickly screen, it is more susceptible to environmental interferences and more likely to generate measurement errors. Research has shown that the corner of the eye—the region medially adjacent to the inner canthus—provides a more accurate estimate of core body temperature than other areas of skin. This is because skin at the canthi is thin (decreasing insulating effects), is less exposed to environmental factors, and is directly over major arteries which increase blood flow and heat transfer.
Ready to get started?
If you've read this far, you're well on your way towards screening for elevated skin temperature. Now that you've got the background, it's time to take things to the next level.
Download The Complete Guidebook on Thermal Screening for Elevated Skin Temperature and get on track to protect your front line from the spread of infection.
Disclaimer for Products Sold Under FDA Enforcement Guidance
- Product is not FDA cleared or approved. Product is for triage body temperature measurements only during the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Thermal measurements should not be solely or primarily relied upon to diagnose or exclude a diagnosis of COVID-19, or any other disease.
- Elevated body temperature should be confirmed with secondary evaluation methods.
- May only measure one temperature at a time.
- Visible thermal patterns are only intended for locating points from which to extract thermal measurement.