Experience Using a Forehead Continuous Deep Temperature Monitoring System During Air Evacuation

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study describes the utility of a forehead continuous deep temperature monitoring system by the staff members of a doctor helicopter (DH). MethodsA questionnaire survey was performed for all flight doctors who had used this system during transportation by the DH to assess its merits and demerits. ResultsThe major benefits of this system were its easy usability, disposable nature, low labor cost, continuous demonstration of the deep temperature in a prehospital setting, and low invasiveness. However, drawbacks of this system include its cost; need for a power supply; need for a few minutes for calibration to obtain stable results of temperature, making it impossible to verify the effects of intervention for body temperature during a short flight; and lack of a detachable measuring pad for the forehead when a patient has an injury on the face or head and hyperhidrosis. In addition, the system's attached cables may hamper medical interventions. ConclusionWe reported the experience of DH staff using a forehead continuous deep temperature monitoring system in the prehospital setting. Further studies will be required to determine the indications for using such a system in the prehospital setting.