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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting unexpected high, low, or inconsistent temporal artery readings caused by lens contamination, technique, environment, battery condition, or failed accuracy verification.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Remove the TAT-5000S from clinical use if staff report questionable readings or readings inconsistent with the patient’s condition.
Provide staff with another known-working thermometer for clinical decision-making. Do not attempt to confirm questionable device performance on a patient who requires reliable temperature assessment.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues using a trusted temperature-measurement device while the reported thermometer is evaluated.
2. Verify the Complaint and Identify the Reading Pattern
Ask clinical staff whether the thermometer is reading:
- Consistently low
- Consistently high
- Variable between repeated measurements
- Different from another thermometer or measurement method
Check whether the comparison thermometer is the same type and calibration basis. A TAT-5000S with a serial number beginning with “A” is arterial calibrated; a unit marked Oral with a serial number beginning with “O” is programmed to display oral-equivalent readings. Comparing different calibration types can appear to show an accuracy problem when the units are not expected to display the same value.
Expected outcome: The reported symptom is clearly defined, and a calibration-type mismatch is ruled out before further troubleshooting.
If the issue is explained by comparing unlike calibration types, document the finding and stop.
3. Inspect the Thermometer for External Damage or Contamination
Inspect the probe cone, sensor lens, housing, display, battery compartment, and any attached communication cable on connected versions.
Look for:
- Dirt, grease, moisture, or film on the lens
- Cracked probe cone or damaged lens area
- Evidence of a drop or impact
- Fluid intrusion
- Damaged housing or loose battery door
The TAT-5000S is a precision optical instrument, and lens contamination can directly affect infrared measurement accuracy. Exergen identifies a dirty lens as a common cause of low readings.
Expected outcome: The unit has no obvious physical damage, and the lens condition is known.
If the device is damaged, wet internally, or shows evidence of impact-related failure, remove it from service and send it for repair.
4. Clean the Sensor Lens Correctly
Using a cotton-tipped applicator lightly dampened with alcohol, gently clean the center of the sensor lens at the tip of the probe.
Do not:
- Scrub forcefully
- Use bleach or other cleaning solutions on the sensor lens
- Immerse the thermometer in liquid
- Autoclave the device
Allow the lens to dry, then reassess the reported condition. Exergen states that dirt, greasy film, or moisture on the lens can interfere with infrared transmission and affect accuracy.
Expected outcome: The optical surface is clean and dry, eliminating the most common correctable cause of low or inconsistent readings.
If cleaning resolves the reported reading problem, return the unit to service according to facility policy, document the correction, and stop.
5. Check Battery Condition and Display Indicators
Turn the thermometer on and observe the display.
Check for:
- bAtt indication
- Blank or intermittent display
- Err message
- Normal scanning indication during operation
Replace a low or questionable battery with a new, high-quality alkaline 9-volt battery. A low battery is identified by bAtt; a blank display may indicate no or very low battery. A persistent Err message requires repair evaluation.
Expected outcome: The thermometer powers normally without battery or processing error indications.
If battery replacement resolves the issue, perform a final functional verification, document the repair, and stop.
6. Confirm Environmental Conditions Before Testing
Confirm the thermometer has not recently been exposed to extreme cold, heat, or moisture. Allow the device to stabilize at room temperature before evaluating accuracy.
The TAT-5000S operating environmental temperature range is 16 to 40°C / 61 to 104°F. For calibration verification, Exergen instructs that the reference instrument and thermometer being tested be allowed to acclimate to the same ambient temperature for at least 10 minutes, with additional time after exposure to very warm or cold conditions.
Expected outcome: Accuracy evaluation is performed after environmental effects have been ruled out.
If the complaint occurred only after improper storage or temperature exposure and readings normalize after stabilization, document the condition and stop.
7. Rule Out Technique-Related Inconsistency
With the device removed from clinical use, review the reported measurement technique with staff or evaluate technique using a controlled, non-clinical demonstration.
Confirm that the operator:
- Places the probe flush at the center of the forehead
- Holds the button while scanning straight across the forehead toward the hairline
- Avoids scanning down the side of the face
- Measures exposed skin without hair, hats, or blankets covering the site
- Avoids rapidly repeating measurements on the same site without allowing recovery time
- Accounts for diaphoresis or recent ice packs/wet compresses
Exergen identifies improper scan path, covered measurement sites, diaphoresis, recent cooling of the forehead, and rapid repeated measurements as possible causes of abnormal readings.
Expected outcome: User technique and measurement-site conditions are not falsely creating inconsistent readings.
If retraining resolves the reported issue and the thermometer performs normally, document the finding and stop.
8. Check Measurement Units and Configuration
Confirm that the display is in the expected unit of measure, either °F or °C, and verify that clinical staff were not interpreting a unit-conversion issue as an inaccurate reading.
Also confirm whether the unit is arterial calibrated or oral-equivalent calibrated before comparing it with another thermometer or clinical protocol.
Expected outcome: The thermometer’s displayed measurement type and calibration basis match the intended clinical workflow.
If a configuration or interpretation issue is found, correct the workflow concern, document it, and stop.
9. Perform Accuracy Verification if the Issue Remains
If the lens is clean, the battery is good, technique and environmental concerns have been ruled out, and the readings remain questionable, perform accuracy verification using the appropriate Exergen Calibration Verification Kit when available.
Before verification:
- Confirm the Certified Master and test thermometer have matching calibration types: A-to-A or O-to-O
- Allow the verifier to stabilize
- Acclimate both instruments to the same ambient temperature
- Ensure both lenses are clean
- Do not use disposable covers or sheaths during verification
Exergen states that TAT-5000S recalibration is normally not required, but calibration verification may be performed in Biomedical Engineering using its Calibration Verification Kit.
Expected outcome: The thermometer either passes verification or is confirmed to require repair evaluation.
If the unit passes verification, document the successful test and evaluate whether the original complaint resulted from technique, clinical comparison method, or environmental conditions.
If the Problem Persists
If the TAT-5000S continues to provide questionable readings after lens cleaning, battery replacement as needed, environmental stabilization, technique review, configuration confirmation, and available accuracy verification, 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 bench evaluation according to facility procedure
Exergen identifies the battery as the only user-serviceable component and states that a unit with incorrect readings should be returned for repair. Knowing when to stop after appropriate external checks is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot questionable thermometer accuracy while the device is being relied upon for patient-care decisions. Move temperature assessment to a known-working device first, then evaluate the reported TAT-5000S safely away from active clinical use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Exergen TAT-5000S produced repeated temperature readings lower than expected compared with another temporal artery thermometer."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Inspection found visible residue on the probe sensor lens, which can interfere with infrared measurement and cause low readings."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the thermometer from use, cleaned the sensor lens with an alcohol-dampened cotton-tipped applicator, allowed the lens to dry, and confirmed consistent readings during follow-up verification."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether readings were high, low, or inconsistent
- Comparison device type and calibration basis
- Arterial or oral-equivalent calibration identification
- Lens condition before and after cleaning
- Battery status or bAtt indication
- Presence of Err or other display messages
- Room temperature and recent storage conditions
- Reported operator technique concerns
- Calibration verification result, if performed
- Final device status: returned to service or removed for repair
Final Thought
Accurate temperature measurement depends on patient safety, clean optics, correct technique, appropriate comparison methods, and knowing when verification or repair is needed. Thorough CCR documentation preserves the troubleshooting logic and supports safe equipment management.
That is successful troubleshooting.