Use of equipment for the tracking of fever:

A new ISO technical report has just been published

Following the recent pandemic alert for the A/H1N1 flu, thermal detectors have been installed in several airports. These decisions were taken within the scope of activation and reinforcement of the monitoring of passengers in transit areas.
ISO, on the other hand, has just published a technical report concerning the use of medical equipment in the detection of fever to contain the spread of infectious diseases as well as to avoid the development of pandemics.To lessen the impact of a pandemic, save lives whilst ensuring continuity of the services are essential objectives in planning the containment of influenza viruses.

ISO/TR 13154:2009 “Medical electrical equipment – Deployment, implementation and operational guidelines for indentifying febrile humans using a screening thermograph”, will contribute to the efficient usage of thermographs that will be used in sensitive detection locations and will help public health authorities to take appropriate measures.
This technical report gives orientations on the deployment, the installation and usage of a screening thermograph, which could be mainly used in the following locations:

• Hospitals and clinics, including emergency rooms
• Critical infrastructure facilities
• Workplaces
• Schools
• Government and Federal buildings, including police and fire stations
• Public transport.

A screening thermograph can also play an important epidemiological role in defining the geographical boundaries of an outbreak.

Dave Osborn, Secretary of the ISO subcommittee responsible for ISO/TR 13154, comments: "The publication of the technical report is very timely given the current outbreak of H1N1 in several regions of the world. This technical report plays an important role in the first phase following the flu and other infectious diseases development, as well as in relation to other biological germs or bacterial agents for which detection is vital.”

ISO/TR 13154:2009 is complementary to the following IEC standard:
IEC 80601-2-59:2008 Medical electrical equipment - Part 2-59: Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of screening thermographs for human febrile temperature screening.
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