How to Sterilize a Thermometer

The sterilization of a thermometer involving soap, water and denatured alcohol is a process that members of the boomer generation know well. But this process has changed and it has changed for reasons unrelated to how effective it was in killing germs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Get a new thermometer if you have one with mercury in it. Sterilize other bulb thermometers, using colored alcohol for example, by initially washing it in soap and water.
2. Wipe off the bulb thermometer with denatured alcohol after its soap and water wash. It should then be placed in a clean protective container. It may also be placed in a covered container of denatured alcohol.
3. Check the instructions that come with a digital thermometer for the way it should be cleaned. This is necessary because different thermometers have different ways of sterilization.
4. Use the disposable coverlets on those models designed for their use. Following use, simply wipe off the area of the thermometer that has been exposed to a patient's touch.
5. Make sure that you wipe off the ENTIRE AREA of the thermometer that has been touched by the patient. If possible, use denatured alcohol since this is the best bactericidal agent, but you must check with the thermometer's directions since some do not tolerate its use.
6. Wipe off any area of a digital ear thermometer touched by a patient immediately following use. With the unit's next use, then apply the disposable ear tip. The chances of contamination of an ear thermometer are obviously far less than that for an oral unit, but never underestimate a toddler's ability to slobber over great distances.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that bulb thermometers utilizing mercury are being recalled and outright banned. Mercury is EXCEEDINGLY TOXIC and breakage of the bulbs is of a particular risk to young children. If you have a bulb thermometer with mercury, don't wash it, turn it in!