Medical thermometers

Medical thermometers are used to measure body temperature to detect fever and illness. Medical fridge thermometers monitor the storage temperatures of vaccines, medicines, and other temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Using the correct thermometer helps support accurate diagnosis, patient safety and compliance.

Many vaccines, medicines and pharmaceutical products must be stored within strict temperature limits to maintain their safety and effectiveness. If temperatures fall outside the recommended range, products can lose potency or become unusable. A dedicated medical fridge or freezer thermometer helps ensure storage conditions remain compliant.

Read our guide to medication fridge temperatures to learn more.

A medical forehead thermometer is specifically designed and calibrated to measure human body temperature accurately. Standard infrared thermometers measure surface temperatures and should not be used to take body temperature readings, as they are not designed or approved for clinical diagnosis.

Glycol bottle probes respond to temperature changes in a similar way to the vaccines or medicines being stored, rather than reacting instantly to changes in air temperature. This provides a more representative reading of the product temperature and helps reduce false alarms caused by brief door openings.

Medical thermometers should be checked regularly to ensure they continue to provide accurate readings. Calibration intervals depend on your quality procedures and regulatory requirements, but annual calibration is commonly recommended. Devices with built-in verification features, such as ETI's CalCheck function, also allow users to confirm accuracy between calibrations.

You can send your thermometers to ETI's UKAS-accredited laboratory for recalibration.