Mike, my editor hasn't checked this yet, but it is going out as one of our newsletter articles. Monona
WE ALL KNEW IT: TEMPERATURE CHECKS DON'T WORK
A study was done to determine whether temperature screening is useful in detecting and reducing workplace transmission of SARS-CoV-2. It analyzed data from a survey of a sample of medical directors of multinational corporations in a wide range of industries. The data was reported in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine:
Stave, Gregg M. MD, JD, MPH; Smith, Sharon E. MD, MBA; Hymel, Pamela A. MD, MPH; Heron, Richard J.L. MB ChB Worksite Temperature Screening for COVID-19, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: August 2021 - Volume 63 - Issue 8 - p 638-641 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002245
The study found that "more than 15 million screenings were performed by 14 companies. Fewer than 700 episodes of fever were identified. Of these, only about 53 cases of COVID-19 were detected. By contrast about 2000 workers with diagnosed COVID-19 were in the workplace and not detected by screening." The study concluded that:
One case of COVID-19 was identified by screening for approximately every 40 cases that were missed. Worksite temperature screening was ineffective for detecting workers with COVID-19 and is not recommended.
COMMENT: This simple test might be added to other precautions, but no reliance on it is justified. This is especially true for cases in vaccinated people who can be reinfected and who often are asymptomatic. Clearly better masks, ventilation, and testing are the most effective procedures.
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Cooper <mcooper**At_Symbol_Here**INDUSTRIALHYGIENERESOURCES.COM>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Sent: Thu, Sep 9, 2021 11:04 am
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Temperature screening question
A recent industry group discussion noted that entrance temperature screening (for covid ) was being discontinued by several companies because: (i) they had not rejected entrance anyone due to high temperatures (ii) some positive non-symptomatic
people have passed the temperature screen, and (iii) there is literature which questions its effectiveness. Wondering if anyone on the listserv has any data or literature regarding the efficacy and pros and cons of temperature screening for companies or academic
institutions?
V/r,
Mike
Michael N. Cooper MS, MPH, NRRPT, CIH
Industrial Hygiene Resources Ltd.
(408) 313-2127
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Community and Environmental Health
School of Allied Health Sciences,
College of Health Sciences
Boise State University
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For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at 