Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients

To assess the capability of infrared ear thermometry accurately to predict rectal temperature in older patients. Infrared ear thermometry is now commonly used for predicting body temperature in older patients. However, ear thermometry has been insufficiently evaluated in geriatric patients. Prospect...

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Main Authors:	Smitz, S., Van de Winckel, A., Smitz, M. F.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	EN
Published:	2012
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/10986/5349

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recordtype	oai_dc
spelling	okr-10986-53492021-04-23T14:02:22Z Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients Smitz, S. Van de Winckel, A. Smitz, M. F. To assess the capability of infrared ear thermometry accurately to predict rectal temperature in older patients. Infrared ear thermometry is now commonly used for predicting body temperature in older patients. However, ear thermometry has been insufficiently evaluated in geriatric patients. Prospective, convenience sample, unblinded study. All patients (or their guardians) gave informed consent. Patients hospitalised in a geriatric unit underwent sequential ear and rectal temperatures measurements using two different models of infrared ear thermometers (ThermoScan and Genius) and a rectal probe, respectively. After a brief otoscopic examination, ear temperatures were measured twice at both ears with each thermometer, the highest of four measurements being retained for analysis. The rectal temperature was the reference standard. Hundred patients (31 males), aged 81 (SD 7) years completed the study. The mean rectal temperature was 37.3 degrees C (SD 0.7) degrees C (range 36.3-40.7 degrees C). Eighteen patients were febrile (rectal temperature >= 37.8 degrees C). The mean bias between rectal and ear temperatures as measured with the ThermoScan was -0.20 degrees C (SD 0.32) degrees C and the 95% limits of agreement were -0.83 degrees C and 0.42 degrees C (95% CI, -0.88-0.48 degrees C). Using the Genius, the corresponding figures were -0.56 degrees C (SD 0.39) degrees C, -1.32 degrees C and 0.20 degrees C (95% CI, -1.39-0.27 degrees C). After correction for bias, the ThermoScan predicted the level of fever with a maximum error of 0.7 degrees C (mean error 0.3 degrees C). Using the Genius, the maximum error and the mean error were 1.6 degrees C and 0.4 degrees C, respectively. Infrared ear thermometry can predict rectal temperature in normothermic and in febrile inpatients with an acceptable level of accuracy. However, the predictive accuracy depends on both operator technique and quality of instrumentation. Proper technique (measuring in both ears) and optimal instrumentation (model of ear thermometer) are essential for accuracy. 2012-03-30T07:32:25Z 2012-03-30T07:32:25Z 2009 Journal Article Journal of Clinical Nursing 0962-1067 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/5349 EN http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo World Bank Journal Article
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Foreign Institution
institution	Digital Repositories
building	World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection	World Bank
language	EN
relation	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo
description	To assess the capability of infrared ear thermometry accurately to predict rectal temperature in older patients. Infrared ear thermometry is now commonly used for predicting body temperature in older patients. However, ear thermometry has been insufficiently evaluated in geriatric patients. Prospective, convenience sample, unblinded study. All patients (or their guardians) gave informed consent. Patients hospitalised in a geriatric unit underwent sequential ear and rectal temperatures measurements using two different models of infrared ear thermometers (ThermoScan and Genius) and a rectal probe, respectively. After a brief otoscopic examination, ear temperatures were measured twice at both ears with each thermometer, the highest of four measurements being retained for analysis. The rectal temperature was the reference standard. Hundred patients (31 males), aged 81 (SD 7) years completed the study. The mean rectal temperature was 37.3 degrees C (SD 0.7) degrees C (range 36.3-40.7 degrees C). Eighteen patients were febrile (rectal temperature >= 37.8 degrees C). The mean bias between rectal and ear temperatures as measured with the ThermoScan was -0.20 degrees C (SD 0.32) degrees C and the 95% limits of agreement were -0.83 degrees C and 0.42 degrees C (95% CI, -0.88-0.48 degrees C). Using the Genius, the corresponding figures were -0.56 degrees C (SD 0.39) degrees C, -1.32 degrees C and 0.20 degrees C (95% CI, -1.39-0.27 degrees C). After correction for bias, the ThermoScan predicted the level of fever with a maximum error of 0.7 degrees C (mean error 0.3 degrees C). Using the Genius, the maximum error and the mean error were 1.6 degrees C and 0.4 degrees C, respectively. Infrared ear thermometry can predict rectal temperature in normothermic and in febrile inpatients with an acceptable level of accuracy. However, the predictive accuracy depends on both operator technique and quality of instrumentation. Proper technique (measuring in both ears) and optimal instrumentation (model of ear thermometer) are essential for accuracy.
format	Journal Article
author	Smitz, S. Van de Winckel, A. Smitz, M. F.
spellingShingle	Smitz, S. Van de Winckel, A. Smitz, M. F. Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients
author_facet	Smitz, S. Van de Winckel, A. Smitz, M. F.
author_sort	Smitz, S.
title	Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients
title_short	Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients
title_full	Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients
title_fullStr	Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients
title_full_unstemmed	Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients
title_sort	reliability of infrared ear thermometry in the prediction of rectal temperature in older inpatients
publishDate	2012
url	http://hdl.handle.net/10986/5349
_version_	1764394726789742592

Reliability of Infrared Ear Thermometry in the Prediction of Rectal Temperature in Older Inpatients

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