The Role of No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations in Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control

Fancy Wang

Infectious diseases are diseases caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct or indirect contact. Infectious diseases can cause a range of symptoms and complications, such as fever, cough, diarrhea, rash, pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, etc. Some infectious diseases can be fatal or cause long-term disability.

Infectious diseases can be classified into different categories based on various criteria, such as the type of microorganism, the mode of transmission, the incubation period, the severity of illness, the availability of treatment or prevention, etc.

Some examples of infectious diseases classification are:

• According to the type of microorganism: bacterial infections (e.g., streptococcus, staphylococcus, tuberculosis), viral infections (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, measles), fungal infections (e.g., candidiasis, aspergillosis), parasitic infections (e.g., malaria, giardiasis).

• According to the mode of transmission: contact-transmitted infections (e.g., impetigo, scabies), airborne-transmitted infections (e.g., tuberculosis, chickenpox), droplet-transmitted infections (e.g., influenza, COVID-19), vector-borne infections (e.g., malaria, dengue), foodborne or waterborne infections (e.g., salmonella, cholera).

• According to the incubation period: acute infections (e.g., influenza, COVID-19), chronic infections (e.g., hepatitis B, HIV), latent infections (e.g., herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus).

• According to the severity of illness: mild infections (e.g., common cold, gastroenteritis), moderate infections (e.g., pneumonia, urinary tract infection), severe infections (e.g., sepsis, meningitis), life-threatening infections (e.g., Ebola virus disease, anthrax).

• According to the availability of treatment or prevention: treatable infections (e.g., streptococcus, staphylococcus), untreatable infections (e.g., prion diseases), preventable infections (e.g., measles, tetanus), unpreventable infections (e.g., COVID-19).

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific approach and practical solution to prevent or stop the spread of infectious diseases among people and animals. IPC practices aim to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in healthcare settings and communities.

IPC practices include:

• Surveillance and reporting: monitoring and reporting the occurrence and trends of infectious diseases and outbreaks.

• Hand hygiene: washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs before and after contact with patients or their environment.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): wearing appropriate PPE such as gloves, masks, gowns, etc. to prevent exposure to infectious agents.

• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette: covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow and disposing of contaminated tissues in waste containers.

• Environmental cleaning and disinfection: cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with infectious agents.

• Isolation and quarantine: separating and restricting the movement of people who are infected or exposed to infectious agents.

• Vaccination and prophylaxis: administering vaccines or medications to prevent or reduce the risk of infection.

• Education and training: providing education and training on IPC practices to healthcare workers and the public.

No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations are devices that can measure a person's body temperature without any physical contact, using infrared sensors or cameras. These devices can be used in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, airports, hospitals, etc., to screen individuals for fever or other signs of infection.

No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations can play a role in IPC by:

• Detecting fever: Fever is a common symptom of many infectious diseases and can indicate a potential infection. No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations can quickly and accurately measure a person's body temperature and alert if it is above a certain threshold.

• Reducing contact transmission: Contact transmission is one of the most common modes of transmission of infectious diseases. No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations can reduce the risk of contact transmission by eliminating the need for physical contact between the person being screened and the device or the screener.

• Enhancing data tracking and management: Data tracking and management are essential for IPC surveillance and reporting. No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations can provide an integrated system for data tracking and management, enabling easy monitoring and reporting of temperature readings and health surveys.

Some of the data that show the applicability of No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations in IPC are:

• The global market for non-contact thermometers is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2021 to 2027, highlighting the increased adoption of these devices

• The commercial sector (including offices, schools, and malls) showed a significant spike in the demand for non-contact thermometer stations in 2020, with expected continuous growth.

• The WelloStationX is the only FDA-cleared no-touch clinical thermometer station that offers a truly non-contact experience, reducing the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

• The WelloStationX can take a person's temperature in just a few seconds, allowing for efficient processing of large groups of people.

• The WelloStationX boasts a high level of accuracy, ensuring reliable temperature readings.

• The WelloStationX comes with an integrated system for data tracking and management, enabling easy monitoring and reporting of temperature readings.

In conclusion, No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations are devices that can measure a person's body temperature without any physical contact, using infrared sensors or cameras. These devices can be used in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, airports, hospitals, etc., to screen individuals for fever or other signs of infection.

No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations can play a role in IPC by detecting fever, reducing contact transmission, and enhancing data tracking and management. Some of the data that show the applicability of No-Touch Clinical Thermometer Stations in IPC are the global market growth, the commercial sector demand, and the WelloStationX features. However, these devices are not a substitute for other IPC practices, such as hand hygiene, mask wearing, physical distancing...