Rectal temperatures | Thermometer sheaths 2/2

Views: 3665 Created: 2008.02.03

First post

There's one detail I remember from doctor visits that I almost never see mentioned today. Whenever the nurse took my temperature (I only remember orally), she shook down the glass thermometer, then slid on a "B-D Temp-Away" plastic sheath with a blue wrapper. There was also a box of sheaths with a red wrapper, and I was always afraid she would reach for one of those, though she never did.

The sheath created an interesting tickling sensation against my tongue. Today I can only get the plastic sheaths for digital thermometers, which just don't feel the same at all.

n/a

I really dislike sheaths, iv never had a sheathed probe in me but I imagine it does not feel the same.

Dtok

I am not a fan of the sheaths. I think they take away from the feeling. I do understand why they exists though.

Pecan nutjob

In childhood, be it at the hospital or at home, no sheaths were used on glass thermometers (used rectally). Mom swabbed ours with alcohol after use, and the ones in hospital were stored in containers containing a pungent disinfectant (I think camphor alcohol).

Even in the heydays of rectal temperatures in France, I've never seen sheaths on sale.

RichardAsni

I don’t like sheaths or latex gloves. I like to feel the glass. I like skin on skin. But I understand why hospitals use them.

Enemamike

I had never used them but I see why hospitals etc do.

RTEnthusiast

My pediatrician used them on oral thermometers - I remember it was more of a loose fitting baggie than a sheath, which made it harder to keep under your tongue.

I did try the temp away sheaths that used to be available and I wasn't a fan - you could feel the plastic seam and while they were pre-lubricated I Don't think they were sufficiently lubricated. Generally I get it as a good idea if cross-contamination is a potential issue, but on your own not really a worthwhile step.

rectaltempbabe

Thinking back, I don’t think sheaths were used as a child at home. At the doctor, they certainly were. Nowadays, I do not use them.

Mental patient

At Dr or In the ER and admissions and etc like that they usually use sheath but when I've been in a room in icu or medical floor. they've usually just took one glass thermometer and kept it in my room.