Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor - User Manual - Manual (Page 40)

34 Vital Signs Monitor
1. Ensure that the oral probe is connected to the Monitor. The oral probe has a BLUE tip. Accurate
axillary temperatures can only be obtained by using the blue-tipped temperature probe.
2. Remove the probe from the probe holder. A short self-test mode will be initiated where every
LED segment on the TEMPERATURE display is illuminated briefly. Following this self-test, the
display will show “OrL”. OrL=Oral Probe indicating that the oral probe is in use.
3. Press the SET-Arrow Up button once. The display will now show “ALY” indicating that the
Monitor is ready to take an axillary temperature reading. Note that subsequent presses of the
SET-Arrow Up button allows the Monitor to toggle between the oral and axillary modes of
operation. The Monitor’s display must show “ALY” prior to the initiation of a temperature
measurement.
4. With the TEMPERATURE display showing “ALY”, load a probe cover onto the probe by holding
the probe collar with the thumb and forefinger, being careful not to hold or press the ejection
button.
5. Lift the patient’s arm so that the entire axilla is easily visualized. Place the probe as high as
possible in the axilla. Do not allow the probe tip to come into contact with the patient until it is
deliberately placed in the measurement site. Any tissue contact before this time will activate the
probe position error message and may cause inaccurate tempurature readings.
6. Be sure that the probe tip will be completely surrounded by axillary tissue. Clothing or other
material touching the probe tip may cause inaccurate readings.
7. Place the arm snugly at the patient’s side. Hold the arm in this position without movement of the
arm or probe during the measurement cycle. Movement of the arm may cause inaccurate
readings.
8. In Normal Mode the Monitor will produce an audible tone and display the temperature reading
when a final temperature has been reached. This generally takes about 10 seconds. In Monitor
Mode the operator must allow the temperature readout to stabilize for 5 minutes to accurately
display a final temperature reading.
9. After the temperature measurement is complete, remove the probe from the patient’s axilla and
eject the probe cover by firmly pressing the ejection button on the probe. Properly dispose of
the used probe cover.
10. Insert the probe into the probe holder before attempting to take another temperature
measurement.
When in Normal mode, the current temperature is displayed for one minute after the probe is
replaced in the holder, after which time the display will go blank. The most recent temperature can
be recalled by pressing the REVIEW button once.
NOTE: If a probe position error occurs during the temperature determination, the temperature
display will alternate between the final predicted temperature and the letter “P” in the
display.
Taking a Rectal Temperature
To take a rectal temperature (in either Normal or Monitor mode) follow this procedure:
1. Ensure that the rectal probe is connected to the unit. The rectal probe has a RED tip. Accurate
rectal temperatures can only be obtained by using the red temperature probe.