“Non-contact type thermometer not available” Voice of anxiety from disabled facilities Chiba April 9 13:47
Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the supply of non-contact thermometers that can measure quickly without touching the skin to the domestic market has been delayed, and it is not possible to take thorough measures to prevent infection from facilities for people with intellectual disabilities in Chiba Prefecture. Anxiety is rising.
At the Hokuso nursery school in Higashisho Town, Chiba Prefecture where the outbreak of the new coronavirus occurred, it has been pointed out that it was difficult to measure daily body temperature depending on the disability of residents, and it was difficult to grasp suspected infection at an early stage. .
At Akebono-no-en, a facility for the disabled, in Chiba City, there is a sense of danger in the spread of infection nationwide, and instead of a conventional thermometer sandwiched beneath the armpits, it is possible to quickly measure without touching the skin and not burden the residents. I tried to buy a non-contact type, but it is still unavailable.
According to a major manufacturer of non-contact thermometers, production at a factory in China has stopped, supply to Japan has been delayed, and shipments will be resumed with the end of the major holidays next month.
According to Shigeo Hoshino, director of Akebono-no-en, there were many residents who disliked conventional thermometers, and they had to take time to make contact with each other. Yes. "
At the site of facilities for the disabled
"Akebono-en" located in Inage-ku, Chiba provides support for the living and employment of approximately 90 people with intellectual disabilities who come from local communities.
After the user arrives at the facility, the temperature is measured sequentially with a conventional thermometer sandwiched under the arm from around 9 am every morning, but some people dislike it, so the staff should cover it from behind. May be
At the facility, in the case of the new coronavirus, it was better to avoid contact between the user and the staff, but from around February, we tried to purchase a non-contact type thermometer via the Internet, etc. Has been delivered to you.
Now, in addition to hand washing, gargle, and thorough disinfection, windows are regularly opened and ventilated to prevent infection, but it is important to quickly measure the body temperature of residents and thoroughly manage their health. We are waiting for the arrival of the product, as it is indispensable to grasp the infection early.
Mr. Shigeo Hoshino, the manager of Akebono Garden, said that he was shocked about the outbreak that occurred at a welfare facility for the disabled in Higashisho Town, Chiba Prefecture. There is a high risk of getting infected or getting infected because one of them may be close to helping, and I think it would be easier to get help with a non-contact thermometer afterwards. " I was waiting for arrival.
"The country attaches great importance to refraining from going out and refraining from contact with people. I'm afraid of the spread of the infection because of the nature of the facility, which means that people live in groups. "
Non-contact thermometer Popular for infection control
A & D, a leading manufacturer of electronic measuring instruments in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, calculates the amount of infrared light emitted from the forehead and measures the heat in about one second without touching the body. Has been sold to the public for about four years.
It is said that it became easier to measure the temperature of infants, the elderly, and those with disabilities who had difficulty putting a thermometer under the armpit, and because it did not directly touch the body, it became popular as a measure against infectious diseases .
However, due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus in China, production at local factories has ceased and can no longer be supplied domestically, and the shortage of goods has continued.
In late January, orders were received 30 times more than usual from facilities that provide care for the elderly and the disabled, but in February the stock ran out and shipment stopped. I am.
After that, the situation in China improved and the production system at the factory is gradually recovering, but it will take time to procure parts, so we aim to resume production next month next large holiday .
Yuji Ara of the A & D Medical Business Division said, "Inquiries have increased rapidly, and tens of thousands of units have been in stock in a few days, and sorry, but we have been running out of stock. I want to. "
In addition, it becomes difficult to obtain products from the other two companies that handle non-contact type thermometers, and this situation is likely to continue for a while.