The School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals are installing thermal scanning systems for temperature screening at more than 30 locations across the Medical Campus. The effort is aimed at keeping the campus community safe by helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The thermal scanners are being installed in areas commonly accessed by employees and students and will be activated in early October. The scanners use cameras with infrared technology to instantly detect elevated temperatures.
Each scanner can accurately measure the body temperatures of up to 35 people at a time.
Those walking past a thermal scanner will be asked to remove hats and glasses to ensure an accurate temperature reading. The scanners will streamline temperature screening and reduce the staffing needed to conduct temperature checks.
Employees and students still will need to complete the daily online screening questions before coming to work or school on the Medical Campus. Employees and students who have not completed the daily online screening will be asked by staff at screening stations about any COVID-19 symptoms and exposures.
Patients and visitors will still undergo temperature checks and be asked about symptoms and exposures at screening stations set up at campus entry points.
Any employee or student who has a fever — defined as 100 degrees F or above — will be asked to return home and notify the Office of Occupational Health by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 314-362-5056 to determine next steps, which may include arrangements for a COVID-19 test. Employees should also contact their supervisor.