18 Jan
News & Updates

1 Single-Use Thermometer to Protect You and the Environment!

Eco-Friendly Single-Use Thermometers

Our line of NexTemp®, Tempa•DOT®, and TraxIt® thermometers are eco-friendly, easy to use, offer unsurpassed accuracy, maximum infection control, and lowest cost of ownership when compared to competitors, making it ideal for all healthcare settings. Our line of products significantly reduces the risk of patient-to-patient and patient-to-provider infection of COVID-19, C. difficile, MRSA, MDROs, Norovirus, Rotavirus other HAIs.

While at first glance it may not seem like single-use thermometers would be an eco-friendly friendly option, they in fact are! After calculating the waste produced by reusable thermometers, in addition to the various supplies that are also needed to safely use those thermometers, Medical Indicators’ clinically accurate, single-use thermometers actually produce 66% less waste than infrared, temporal, tympanic, and digital thermometers.

 

There are approximately 3.4 lbs. of carbon emissions for every 1 lb. of PET, which is the main component of our single-use thermometers. One of our thermometers in total weighs less than one gram (0.839g.), meaning that it would take more than 540 thermometers to produce approximately 1 lb. of CO2 emissions.

In comparison, burning one gallon (3225.6g.) of gasoline emits 19.59 lbs. of CO2. Therefore, it would take roughly 3,115 over-wrapped thermometers to produce the same amount of CO2 emissions as one gallon of gasoline.

1 Cubic Foot of Waste Contains 38,431 Single-Use thermometers

Reusable thermometers require batteries, cords, probe covers, replacement parts, wipes, and harsh cleaning chemicals to disinfect the thermometer after every use.

For reference, when comparing our single-use thermometer to a digital reusable thermometer – just one disinfecting wipe that is used to clean the digital thermometer creates 9x the amount of waste as just one of our thermometers.

And that doesn’t include the actual thermometer itself, the batteries needed to operate the device, or the probe covers used with every temperature taken! These added materials create even more waste and require even more money and labor to maintain reusable thermometers. However, none of those supplies are needed with any of Medical Indicators’ thermometers.

Medical Indicators’ single-use thermometers are made possible by a remarkable innovation called Precision Phase Change Technology, which uses heat-sensitive crystals to measure and display body temperature – delivering unsurpassed accuracy and reliability.

Cost Per Temperature

Aside from helping the environment, facilities using Medical Indicators single-use thermometers also save more than 70% annually compared to Tympanic, Digital/Electronic, Temporal and Infrared Thermometers. Over the course of 100,000 temperatures, our single-use thermometers provide more thermometers, better protection from cross-contamination, and greater savings compared to Tympanic, Digital/Electronic, Temporal and Infrared Thermometers.

Patient Protection

Lastly, when thermometers are used on multiple patients by health care providers, the potential for transmission of pathogens from patient-to-patient and patient-to-provider increases. Though non-contact thermometers have implied infection control benefits, they are actually less accurate and in many cases, not recommended for clinical use. Even with the most stringent cleaning and sterilization protocols, it is nearly impossible to ensure a contaminant-free device for each use.

According to a study published in the Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, Healthcare-Associated Infections cost hospitals anywhere from $28 to $45 billion a year. The problem of HAIs is complex, and its human toll is tragic. For health care systems the associated financial costs have crippling ramifications, including reductions in Medicare reimbursement for hospitals that score in the bottom quartile on CMS-mandated Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) reviews.

Medical Indicators single-use thermometers virtually eliminate the spread of germs. Thus, virtually eliminating the costs associated with Healthcare-Acquired Infections. The amount of savings from decreasing Healthcare-Acquired Infections is enough to drastically reshape annual hospital budgets. Essentially, when applied to purchasing thermometers, our single-use thermometers pay for themselves by saving you money! 

This is achieved since all Medical Indicators single-use thermometers:

• accelerate procurement efficiency as single source item
• decrease risk of capital loss due to theft
• eliminate maintenance and repairs
• offer a low initial acquisition cost
• provide unbreakable, waterproof design
• remove the calibration process

In the end, reusable thermometers create more waste, cost more money, and lead to more HAI cases. Medical Indicators is proud to manufacture the only clinically accurate, single-use thermometer on the market today trusted as both a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution by top hospitals, urgent cares, dialysis clinics, and other leading healthcare facilities worldwide!

16 Dec
News & Updates

Medical Indicators Secures Elite Business of the Year 2021 Recognition from NJ BIZ

Business of the Year Honors Those Striving for Excellence and Growing New Jersey’s Economic Success

Medical Indicators, Inc. is proud to announce that it has been named the 2021 Business of the Year in the 51-100 employees category by NJ BIZ. The recognition was announced Tuesday, December 14th during the publication’s annual Business of the Year Awards celebration. The award honors companies and their leaders who strive for excellence, while also contributing to New Jersey’s economic growth and success. Fellow honorees include Bristol Myers Squibb and 1st Bergen Federal Credit Union, among others.

A program of NJBIZ. Business of the Year“We are honored to be named Business of the Year by NJ Biz, and I’m thrilled that our employees have been recognized for their dedication over the past 40 years,” says Joel Welde, Medical Indicators’ CEO. “We attribute our growth and success to the continued support from customers who value quality American manufacturing, and to our employees who have worked especially hard to provide our single-use thermometers to hospitals, doctors, corporations, schools, and families around the world throughout the pandemic.”

Since its inception in the 1980s, Medical Indicators has proudly manufactured its clinically accurate, single-use thermometers at its headquarters in New Jersey. Over the years, Medical Indicators has worked to increase production capabilities and expand product offerings to meet the needs of its growing customer base. Now, nearly 40 years later, Medical Indicators has become the largest manufacturer of clinically accurate, single-use thermometers in the world, manufacturing all of its thermometers in the US.

Medical Indicators’ thermometers, including NexTemp®, NexTemp® Ultra, TempaDOT®, and TraxIt®, provide the highest level of accuracy attainable in any thermometer on the market today. And their disposability means that once a temperature is taken, the thermometer and all of the germs are discarded along with it – virtually eliminating the risk of spreading germs and infections.

17 Nov
News & Updates

Medical Indicators Named a 2021 “Business of the Year” Finalist by NJ BIZ

Medical Indicators, Inc. is honored to be named a 2021 “Business of the Year ” finalist in the 51 – 101 employees category by NJ BIZ. The annual award honors companies and their leaders who strive for excellence, while also contributing to New Jersey’s economic growth and success.

Since its inception in the 1980’s, Medical Indicators has proudly manufactured its clinically accurate, single-use thermometers at its headquarters in New Jersey. Over the years, Medical Indicators has worked to increase production capabilities and expand product offerings to meet the needs of its growing customer base. Now, nearly 40 years later, Medical Indicators has become the largest manufacturer of clinically accurate, single-use thermometers in the world, manufacturing all of its thermometers in the US.

“We attribute our growth and success over the past four decades to the tireless efforts of our employees, the continued support from our customers, and our dedication to manufacturing the safest and most accurate thermometers for our customers,” says Joel Welde, Medical Indicators’ CEO. “Our employees have worked especially hard the past two years to provide our thermometers to hospitals, doctors, corporations, schools, and families around the world throughout the pandemic. I am thrilled that our employees have been recognized for their hard work and dedication with the designation as a Business of the Year finalist by NJ Biz!”

Medical Indicators’ thermometers, including NexTemp®, NexTemp® Ultra, TempaDOT®, and TraxIt®, provide the highest level of accuracy attainable in any thermometer on the market today. And their disposability means that once a temperature is taken, the thermometer and all of the germs are discarded along with it – virtually eliminating the risk of spreading germs and infections.

Finalists for the NJBIZ Business of the Year Awards will be recognized, and winners will be announced, during a virtual celebration on December 14, 2021.

05 Oct
News & Updates

Changes to the Patient Experience in 2021

Patty Riskind, Head of Global Healthcare for Qualtrics, authored an article for Forbes.com titled 8 Patient Experience Trends to Watch in 2021. The article discusses the changes currently taking place in the healthcare industry in response to the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic that exposed the inefficiencies, disparities, and weaknesses of our healthcare system. It’s due in large part to these inefficiencies and disparities that there has been an increase in the attention paid to what goes on inside America’s medical facilities. The article discusses these eight healthcare trends to watch out for this year:

  1. Transitioning from a system of measurement to a system of action

Because healthcare systems are always evolving, there will be different ways of providing patients with the best care moving forward. Instead of measuring patient care by the number of patients that are being cared for, the gears have shifted towards measuring patient care by the actual care being provided to them. People have realized that in many cases, actions speak louder than words. When a healthcare provider goes out of their way to understand a patients’ concerns, as well as get to know them on a more personal level, that speaks volumes. It shows the patient that the provider cares about them, and their health, as a person rather than just a number.

  1. Leveraging electronic medical records with experience management

Communication is extremely important when developing relationships with patients. Many healthcare facilities have begun issuing surveys to their patients to obtain feedback regarding the care they received. This is a great way to measure how they’re doing and to identify the areas in which improvements are needed. And the survey results can be added to the patient’s record, which can help to provide the patient with a better experience in the future.

  1. Tapping into the digital revolution

The American healthcare system was greatly affected by the Coronavirus epidemic, leading to significant changes in the way we provide and receive medical care. Doctors had to find a way to provide patient care virtually when it wasn’t safe to go into the office. Virtual visits and telemedicine appointments became an effective way for doctors to see more patients in less time, and most importantly, safely. It also enables providers to be more accessible, communicating with patients electronically through the online portals many began using this past year.

  1. Focusing on resilience and retention

For those in the medical profession, 2020 was one of the most difficult years to date. And now more than ever, in order to guarantee that medical providers are well-engaged, they need to be supported. Health systems must provide their employees with the resources they need to be focused, engaged, and aware. Employees need to feel safe and they want to know that they’re being heard and supported. If health systems show they care about and support their employees, then the employees will be able to pass along that care and support to their patients.

  1. Diversity, equity, inclusion

Having a diverse workforce is extremely important, especially in the medical field. Working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds enables teams to share thoughts, create new ideas, and develop innovative solutions to a range of medical conditions, thanks to perspectives they otherwise wouldn’t have. A diverse workforce drives change, increases awareness and education, and brings new values and understanding to critical decisions.

  1. Building trust

Healthcare providers must build trust with their patients. There are many various reasons why people go to hospitals, medical centers, or doctor’s offices. But one thing remains the same in any case: when a patient is in a time of need, that patient needs to feel safe, trusted, and cared for. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large amount of misinformation was spread, causing many people to panic and question what they were told. Healthcare providers must develop a trusting relationship with their patients in order to ensure that the information they provide is trusted by their patients.

  1. Measuring the ROI of NPS

If a patient endures a poor experience, there will be consequences. Patient experiences have a huge impact on safety, referrals, revenue, and the credibility of the facility – and negative experiences will indicate negative results. A Net Promoter Score (NPS) is used to measure patient loyalty as well as the potential for them to recommend the facility to others. Fostering a positive work environment leads to better NPS scores and is reflected in the care that is provided to patients.

  1. Investing in Experience Management culture, competencies, and technology

Experience Management is a great way for organizations to improve experiences involving customers, vendors, suppliers, employees, and shareholders. To ensure maximum satisfaction, tracking experiences will be helpful when determining what works and what doesn’t. And investing in a facility’s culture, support, and resources will aid in the future success of both the facility, and the patients it serves.

01 Sep
News & Updates

Why Medical Indicators’ Single-Use Thermometers Are Made in the USA

At Medical Indicators, we’ve been manufacturing all of our clinically-accurate, single-use thermometers in the US since our inception, more than 35 years ago. Our headquarters, located in Hamilton, New Jersey, is home to our corporate offices, laboratories, quality control center, production facilities and shipping & distribution center. We’re proud to be an American-made company and we’ve found that our customers, both in and outside of the US, appreciate the fact that we provide quality, American-made thermometers.

Most products these days, including thermometers, are not made in the US. Pick up an item at the store and you’ll most likely find “Made in China” instead of “Made in America” on the label. While that may be the new norm for other companies, at Medical Indicators, we have found that American manufacturing offers many benefits, to both our company and our customers. These benefits include the production of higher quality products, faster production and delivery times, competitive prices and more jobs for Americans.

In the 1980’s, Dr. Robert Witonsky founded Medical Indicators because as a doctor himself, he saw the need for a thermometer that provides accurate temperature readings, while also preventing patients and healthcare providers from exposure to infections. We began with our NexTemp® thermometers, and over the years, we’ve worked to increase production capabilities and expand our product offerings to meet the needs of our growing customer base. Our product portfolio now includes our NexTemp®, NexTemp® Ultra, TempaDOT® and TraxIt® line of thermometers.

Our continued growth and success has enabled us to expanded our reach throughout the US and Canada, as well as more than 30 international marketplaces around the world with distribution channels in Europe, South Africa, Asia, Australia and Central and South America. We attribute many of our successes to our foundation in American manufacturing, and we’re proud that we’ve become a global leader in the single-use medical device arena, supplying our thermometers to hospitals, clinics, businesses, schools and families around the world.

11 Aug
News & Updates

The Manufacturing Process at Medical Indicators

Check out the below video for an inside look at Medical Indicators’ manufacturing process! The video was filmed during the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, and highlights our dedicated employees who rose to the occasion to provide customers with the high-quality products they needed, as quickly as possible. We worked around the clock to increase production capabilities and streamline processes, producing four times the number of thermometers as in years past.

All of Medical Indicators’ thermometers are manufactured at our corporate headquarters located in Hamilton, New Jersey. Our production facility is FDA-registered and ISO-certified, and we manufacture every product in our controlled production room. Safety is paramount at Medical Indicators, and we take pride in the fact that all of our thermometers are non-hazardous, non-toxic, and latex, glass and mercury-free. They are FDA-registered, meet all ASTM standards of accuracy, and are CE-certified meeting all European standards for health, safety, and environmental protection. Biocompatibility tests are conducted to confirm the safety of our thermometers and to ensure that we meet or exceed even the highest domestic and international safety and quality control standards.

We manufacture our products in the US because it allows for many benefits, including the production of higher quality products, faster production and delivery times, competitive pricing and more jobs for Americans. We’re proud to be an American-made company and we’ve found that our customers, both in and outside of the US, appreciate the fact that we provide high-quality, American-made thermometers.

21 Jul
News & Updates

Global Business Leaders Magazine Named Medical Indicators One of the 20 Innovative Companies Everyone Should Know in 2021

Global Business Leaders Magazine Highlights the Contribution of Leaders Who Represent Their Respective Industries.

Medical Indicators, Inc., the largest manufacturer of clinically-accurate single-use thermometers in the world, was recently named one of Global Business Leaders Magazine’s 20 Innovative Companies Everyone Should Know in 2021. The annual list highlights businesses from around the world with a clear vision and keen interest in making the world a better place in unique ways.

global business leaders magazineThe 2-page feature includes a Q&A with Medical Indicators’ CEO, Joel Welde, in which he discusses the journey the company has taken over the past four decades. “Since day one, Medical Indicators has been innovating – not only in what we create, but how we create it,” said Welde. “We’ve developed a line of American-made single-use thermometers that not only provide the most accurate temperature reading available on the market today, but one that also significantly reduces the risk of spreading infections.”

Medical Indicators was founded in the early 1980s, and since then, has increased production capabilities and expanded its product offerings to meet the needs of its growing customer base. “Our continued growth and success have enabled Medical Indicators to become a global leader in the single-use medical device arena,” said Welde. “We now supply hospitals, Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, and teaching institutions in more than 30 countries around the world with our single-use thermometers that offer highly accurate readings and maximum infection control.”

Medical Indicators’ thermometers, including NexTemp®, NexTemp® Ultra, TempaDOT®, and TraxIt®, feature an innovative and proprietary chemistry system that utilizes heat-sensitive crystals to measure core body temperature. It’s through this chemistry system that Medical Indicators’ thermometers are able to provide clinically-accurate readings. And their disposability means that once a temperature is taken, the thermometer and all of the germs are discarded along with it – virtually eliminating the risk of spreading germs and illnesses.

19 Jul
News & Updates

Taiwan Bans the Use of Infrared Thermometers as COVID Cases Surge Around the World

Although many in the US are fully vaccinated and have seemingly put the pandemic in the past, COVID-19 numbers are steadily rising for the first time in months. The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the US is grappling with a renewed surge of cases in what many are calling the “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Health experts also attribute the increase to relaxed restrictions on gatherings and mask mandates, as well as a rise in the highly contagious Delta variant.

The increase in COVID cases is not an isolated issue here in America. Numbers are also rising around the world with hot spots in Israel, Cuba, Spain, Japan, and the UK. Due to the rise in cases, many countries are tightening restrictions and cracking down on ineffective tools used to detect and treat the virus, namely thermometers.

According to an article in the Taiwan Times, “companies that sell thermometers that measure skin temperature and claim they can detect fever are breaking the law and would face fines of up to $892,953 (USD), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said last week.” Instead, officials recommend using government-approved thermometers, such as oral, axillary, and rectal thermometers.

Infrared and thermo-scanners are only allowed to be used as a reference because the devices are not approved for medical use. Taiwan FDA Medical Devices & Cosmetics Division Specialist, Lin Hsin-hui, stated that “…temperature is easily affected by peripheral circulation or the environment, and varies significantly from true body temperature.” Hsin-hui adds that there are no clinical trials proving that skin temperature is a valid way to determine if someone does or does not have a fever.

As of July 12, 2021, importing, manufacturing, or selling such devices for medical purposes is illegal in Taiwan. Those who choose to ignore the new regulation could face up to three years in jail and fines close to $900,000 (USD). Additionally, companies and individuals claiming that infrareds and other similar devices can be used to check for a fever can be fined $20,000-$900,000 (USD).

The article ends by stating that people who contract COVID-19 develop a fever in the initial stages of the infection, so the Taiwan FDA is urging people to monitor their temperature regularly with a thermometer approved for medical use.

While infrared and thermal imaging devices are not an accurate way to take a temperature, all of Medical Indicators’ thermometers are. Our thermometers are specifically designed for oral, axillary, and rectal use, providing an accurate core body temperature reading each and every time. And their disposability means that once a temperature is taken, you simply discard the thermometer and all of the germs along with it – virtually eliminating the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. Learn more about our highly accurate, single-use thermometers and how they can help you today.

29 Jun
News & Updates

Infrared Thermometers and Their Inability to Fight Against COVID-19

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, infrared thermometers have become a popular way to take temperature screenings in high-volume areas. Many businesses, including restaurants, stores, movie theaters and even companies and their corporate office locations, use them as a way to test for a fever in hopes of limiting their exposure to COVID-19. While infrared thermometers may be easy to use, they have unfortunately proven to be wildly inaccurate. Johns Hopkins Medicine issued an article titled Physicians Say Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers Fall Short As COVID-19 Screeners, which explains why these thermometers cannot be used as a trusted source.

Infrared thermometers only measure a person’s skin temperature, rather than measuring core body temperature – which is the key indicator of an infection. External factors, including the weather, the temperature of a room, an individual’s recent physical activity and other environmental variables, will affect the accuracy of the thermometer and the readings they provide. Because these factors can affect the results when using infrared thermometers, it creates a range of possible temperatures leaving a large margin for error. In the study, Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that during the course of a fever infrared thermometers can give misleading readings, so they should not be used as a trusted source to accurately determine if someone does or does not have a temperature.

The report states that more than 46,000 travelers were screened in 2020 with non-contact infrared thermometers and only one person was identified as having COVID-19. In addition to that, approximately 766,000 travelers were screened during January 17th-September 13th, and only one person per 85,000 later tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, 47 out of 278 people with symptoms similar to COVID-19 had a measured temperature meeting the CDC criteria for fever. They explain that this data shows that non-contact infrared thermometers fall short as a screening test for COVID-19.

Although infrared thermometers provide a convenient way to take someone else’s temperature, the many concerns about inaccurate readings are worrisome. These devices could not detect a person’s fever when they do in fact have one, resulting in that person potentially exposing others to their illness. Conversely, these devices can also report a temperature when the person doesn’t actually have one, leading to unnecessary worry, doctors’ visits and an abrupt change in plans.

Especially in light of recent events, it’s imperative that consumers are able to trust the products they use. Medical Indicators’ thermometers not only provide the most accurate temperature reading available on the market today, but their disposability means that once a temperature is taken, you simply throw it away along with all of the germs – and any worry over spreading an infection!

15 Jun
News & Updates

What is Precision Phase Change Technology and How Does It Provide Highly-Accurate Temperature Readings?

All of Medical Indicators’ thermometers, including NexTemp®, NexTemp® Ultra, TraxIt®, and Tempa•DOT®, feature an innovative and proprietary chemistry system known as Precision Phase Change Technology. Our thermometers feature a handle on one end, and a dot matrix utilizing the Precision Phase Change Technology on the other. We use this technology in our thermometers in one of two ways: through either our NexTemp Liquid Crystal Technology™ or TempaDOT®’s Solid Crystal Technology. The NexTemp Liquid Crystal Technology™ is used in our NexTemp® and TraxIt® line of thermometers, while our TempaDOT® thermometers utilize the Solid Crystal Technology.

In both cases, the dot matrix is comprised of heat-sensitive crystals that contain a unique formulation of chemistry to measure and display core body temperature. The chemistry is designed to react, or change color, at a specific temperature point. Each dot has been custom formulated to react and change color at its precise temperature point that is accurate to ±0.2 ºF/±0.1 ºC – which is the highest level of accuracy attainable in any thermometer on the market today. The number of dots that fire is dependent upon a patient’s temperature. The last dot to fire, or change color, will provide the highly-accurate reading. For NexTemp®, NexTemp® Ultra, and TraxIt® thermometers when the dots fire, they will change color from green to black; and with TempaDOT® thermometers the colors will change from tan to blue.

Precision Phase Change Technology is a remarkable innovation that allows Medical Indicators’ thermometers to provide users with peace of mind knowing they are safe, reliable and accurate. To further ensure their accuracy and reliability, each thermometer undergoes two-stage precision accuracy testing throughout the manufacturing process that meets rigorous accuracy and quality control standards. We utilize calibrated precision water baths to confirm their accuracy and reliability, and to ensure we meet the requirements of both nationally and internationally-recognized testing standards.