Exergen TAT-5000S Series

Asset Type

Thermometer

Manufacturer

Exergen

Model

TAT-5000S Series

What This Guide Helps With

Troubleshooting target-temperature or ambient-temperature range messages caused by environment, measurement conditions, sensor contamination, or device malfunction.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Ensure Patient Safety First

If the message occurred during patient care, have clinical staff obtain a temperature using another approved thermometer according to facility procedure.

Do not troubleshoot, repeat-test, or validate the affected thermometer on an active patient.

Expected outcome: Patient temperature assessment continues using a reliable alternate device while the Exergen thermometer is evaluated.

2. Identify the Exact Display Message

With the thermometer removed from patient use, reproduce or confirm the displayed message and document it exactly:

These are documented display diagnostic indications for the TAT-5000S-US Series.

Expected outcome: Clinical Engineering distinguishes a target-reading range message from an ambient-environment range message before continuing.

3. Check the Operating Environment for HI A or LO A Messages

For HI A or LO A, verify that the thermometer is being used in an environment between 16 and 40 °C / 61 and 104 °F.

Inspect for recent exposure to:

• Cold storage areas or transport conditions
• Hot vehicles, warming equipment, or direct sunlight
• Temperature extremes during delivery or room relocation

Move the thermometer to a normal clinical room environment and allow it to acclimate before retesting.

Expected outcome: Once the thermometer reaches an acceptable operating environment, the ambient-range message clears and normal scanning resumes.

If the message clears, document the environmental cause and return the unit to service only after normal function is confirmed. Stop troubleshooting.

4. Inspect the Thermometer for External Damage or Improper Exposure

Examine the thermometer for:

• Cracked housing
• Damaged probe cone
• Moisture intrusion
• Evidence of dropping or impact
• Chemical residue or signs of improper cleaning

Exergen states that the thermometer should not be used if it has been damaged, exposed to temperature extremes, subjected to shock, or immersed in water.

Expected outcome: The thermometer is physically intact and safe to continue evaluating.

If damage, liquid intrusion, or shock exposure is found, remove the device from service and send it for repair evaluation. Stop troubleshooting.

5. Check and Clean the Sensor Lens

Inspect the probe lens for dirt, moisture, dried disinfectant residue, fingerprints, or film.

Clean the sensor lens using a cotton swab lightly moistened with alcohol, applying light pressure only. Do not use bleach or immerse the thermometer.

A contaminated lens can interfere with infrared heat detection and affect measurement accuracy.

Expected outcome: The sensor lens is clean, dry, and unobstructed before retesting.

6. Check Battery and Display Behavior

Although HI, LO, HI A, and LO A are range indications rather than battery messages, confirm that:

• The display activates normally.
• There is no bAtt message.
• The display is not blank or intermittent.
• The 9V alkaline battery is secure and serviceable.

Replace the battery if a battery-related symptom is also present.

Expected outcome: Power instability is ruled out as a contributing condition.

7. Evaluate HI or LO Messages Reported During Clinical Use

For HI or LO, determine whether the message occurred during a patient measurement or while the thermometer was aimed at an inappropriate surface or environmental object.

Ask for relevant details without retesting on a patient:

• Was the forehead covered by a hat, blanket, or hair immediately beforehand?
• Was there an ice pack, wet compress, or significant diaphoresis?
• Was the scan performed across exposed forehead skin?
• Was an alternate thermometer used to confirm the patient’s temperature?

A HI or LO message can indicate a true temperature outside the displayed range or a measurement condition affecting the scan; it does not automatically confirm internal failure. The manufacturer advises confirming abnormal readings using repeat measurement or another TemporalScanner, while clinical care should use an alternate approved device when reliability is questioned.

Expected outcome: The reported message is associated with either a plausible external measurement condition or an unexplained device behavior requiring further evaluation.

8. Retest the Thermometer Under Controlled Conditions

After confirming a normal room environment, clean lens, intact housing, and stable display, activate the thermometer away from active patient care and verify that it enters normal scanning operation.

Normal scanning is indicated by the scanning display rather than a persistent HI, LO, HI A, or LO A message. If your department has an approved Exergen calibration verification method or kit, perform verification according to established procedure.

Expected outcome: The thermometer operates normally without persistent range messages under appropriate environmental conditions.

If normal operation is restored and verification passes, return the thermometer to service and document the corrective action. Stop troubleshooting.

If the Problem Persists

If HI A or LO A remains displayed after the thermometer has acclimated in an acceptable room environment, or if HI or LO continues without an explainable measurement condition during controlled evaluation, common external causes have been ruled out and the issue is likely internal.

The thermometer should be:

• Removed from service
• Labeled Out of Service
• Sent for repair or manufacturer evaluation

Exergen states that the TAT-5000S self-calibrates when turned on and that instruments producing incorrect readings should be returned for repair. There are no user-serviceable parts other than the battery.

Knowing when to stop after safe external troubleshooting is proper Clinical Engineering practice.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot a questionable thermometer during active patient assessment. Clinical staff should use another approved temperature-measurement device first, especially when a HI or LO message could represent a clinically significant patient condition.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Nursing reported the Exergen TAT-5000S displayed LO A and would not provide a patient temperature reading in the treatment area."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Thermometer had been stored in a cold transport location and displayed a low ambient-temperature message until acclimated to the clinical room environment."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed unit from patient use, allowed it to acclimate within the specified operating range, cleaned the probe lens, verified normal scanning operation, and returned the thermometer to service."

Helpful Details to Include If Known

• Exact message displayed: HI, LO, HI A, or LO A
• Room temperature at time of failure
• Recent transport or storage in a hot or cold area
• Lens condition and cleaning performed
• Battery condition or presence of bAtt message
• Physical damage, moisture, or evidence of dropping
• Whether an alternate thermometer confirmed the patient reading
• Result of controlled functional or calibration verification
• Final device status: returned to service or removed for repair

Final Thought

Range messages should be approached logically: protect the patient first, identify whether the message concerns the measured target or the surrounding environment, rule out external causes, and escalate when normal operation cannot be verified. Clear CCR documentation supports safe clinical use and future troubleshooting.

That is successful troubleshooting.