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Ask The Expert: Who Should Take Body Temperature Readings for COVID-19 Screening?

QUESTION

Who should take peoples’ body temperature for workplace COVID-19 screening’

ANSWER

No person should take temperatures unless they have proper training.

EXPLANATION

This is obviously a novel situation. Based on the guidance that has emerged, this appears to be best practice for employers:

First Choice: Have a trained nurse or medical professional on-site to take temperatures and/or train non-medical personnel how to do it.

Second Choice: If you don’t have trained nurses or medical professionals on-site, designate one or more management-level staffer to do the testing after receiving appropriate training that covers, at a minimum:

  • How to use, wash, clean and disinfect the thermometer or temperature-taking equipment;
  • How to use proper PPE for temperature-taking;
  • How to interpret the results, including what to do in the event a result is out of whack with common sense, e.g., a temperature reading that is obviously too high or too low; and
  • How to record the results.

Be sure to keep written documentation of the training, including:

  • Who provided and received it;
  • The date it was provided;
  • What it covered; and
  • The basis for concluding that the trainee understood and was capable of applying the training, e.g., a post-training demonstration.

Last but not least, try to deploy temperature-taking that is as minimally invasive and easy-to-use as possible, e.g., scanning systems instead of thermometers.

Competency Checklist for COVID-19 Medical Screeners

If you’re performing body temperature checks as part of COVID-19 medical screening, make sure it’s done by health professionals or non-medical professionals at the site with appropriate training. Use this Checklist of required competencies to ensure temperature-takers have the necessary training.

Medical Screening Personnel Skill/Competency Checklist

To be completed after training and before screening performed:

Employee Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________

Job title: ____________________________________________________________

Skill/Competency

Yes

No

Comments

Understands need to screen workers and visitors for fever, respiratory symptoms, travel to affected areas and/or contact with/exposure to individuals with history of symptoms or travel to affected areas

Demonstrates ability to explain to workers and visitors purpose and need to perform screening

Demonstrates ability to explain to workers and visitors need to practice infection control practices inside facility

Understands and demonstrates use of infection control requirements for cleaning and disinfecting temperature scanner or thermometer before and after each use

Demonstrates proper, safe and effective use of temperature scanner or thermometer

Demonstrates proper use of required PPE

Demonstrates ability to interpret results and make appropriate decisions about whether to grant worker/visitor entry, including exercise of respectful and effective techniques to deny admission to individuals who refuse or fail screening

Demonstrates proper screening result documentation practices