Infrared tympanic membrane thermometers are considered ideal because the tympanic membrane and the hypothalamus share an arterial blood supply originating from the carotid artery; therefore, the tympanic membrane is considered to directly reflect core temperature [ 10 ].
An infrared tympanic membrane thermometer is easy to use and is favored over a conventional mercury thermometer provided its accuracy is guaranteed [ 11 , 12 ].
Few published data are available on the accuracy of tympanic membrane thermometers. Thus, the aim of the current study was to compare the temperature obtained by tympanic membrane thermometers with that obtained with mercury glass thermometers before recommending tympanic thermometers for use in general practice in Sudan.
Patients including both adults and children above one year of age, presenting with or without fever to the emergency room during this period were evaluated for inclusion in the study. The study was approved by the ethical committee at Omdurman Hospital, and written consent was obtained from all patients or from a guardian for children. A non-self-adjusted mercury bulb thermometer was used to measure axillary temperature.
Only those thermometers with a deviation of less than 0. All patients were examined otoscopically to exclude ear infection and occluding ear wax was cleared. The same procedure using the right ear right was used to measure the tympanic membrane temperature for each patient.
A medical officer and three nurses received training on the proper use of all temperature measuring devices. Patients who fulfilled the study criteria had their axilla and tympanic membrane temperatures simultaneously measured at The probe of the infrared thermometer was inserted into the external auditory meatus by pulling the pinna backward, and directing the probe towards the eye.
The probe was held in the same position until the beep was heard. The same healthcare worker would read and document the digital reading from the tympanic membrane thermometer and the mercury bulb thermometer. Immediately, another member of the team would then read and document the mercury thermometer, blinded from the results of the original healthcare worker.
The results were analyzed using SPSS, version Linear correlations were made between tympanic and axillary temperatures. Differences between sets of data were plotted as described by Bland-Altman [ 14 ]. Temperature was measured for patients 67; There were 95 Out of these patients, 61 The mean SD body temperature measurements were Scatter plot of correlation between body temperature measurements by infrared tympanic and mercury glass thermometers.
Correlation, bias, and limits of agreement between axillary and tympanic measurements of body temperature. Bland-Altman plot of the differences between infrared tympanic thermometry and mercury glass temperature measurements.
The main finding of the current study was a positive correlation between axillary and tympanic methods of measuring body temperature. Infrared tympanic membrane thermometers take seconds to measure the natural emission of infrared thermal radiation from the tympanic membrane. However, doubts have been expressed about the accuracy of tympanic membrane thermometry [ 16 , 17 ] and differences have been observed when measurements are made in both ears.
Ear infections e. A further study comparing rectal temperature measurement with infrared tympanic thermometer measurement did not find excellent agreement of results [ 19 ]. Similar results to the present study were obtained by Chue et al. More than one reading was used by Chue et al. Likewise, Rabbani et al. However, Edelu et al. Findings from the present study support the use of infrared tympanic membrane thermometers, because of their safety, ease of use and the fast speed for obtaining temperature readings.
Moreover, the hazards of mercury toxicity makes infrared thermometers preferable to the old mercury glass thermometers, although some might prefer the latter based on their low cost compared with tympanic membrane thermometers. One of the limitations of the present study was the use of axillary temperature as a measurement of core temperature rather than the rectal one. Axillary temperature is easy to use, commonly used in our setting and might be acceptable by the traditions and customs in this setting.
Pulmonary artery temperature correlates best with core temperature, but to measure this requires an invasive procedure which is unsuitable for use in routine emergency care practice.
Furthermore, this study did not include patients with hypothermia, and so its findings cannot be extrapolated to newborns or to patients with hypothermia. Further studies including these groups should be carried out to support the wider use of tympanic membrane thermometers.
In this study, tympanic membrane thermometry was as reliable and as accurate as axillary mercury glass thermometry. Thus, tympanic membrane thermometry can be used in the clinical practice, because it is easy to use and the speed of obtaining the temperature reading. GIG and IA designed the study. You are here: Assessment skills. Measuring body temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Abstract Nurses need to know how to measure body temperature accurately and reliably, as readings are a vital part of a holistic patient assessment and can inform treatment decisions.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed Scroll down to read the article or download a print-friendly PDF here if the PDF fails to fully download please try again using a different browser. Box 1. Terms for temperature monitoring and reporting Normal body temperature: This is a rare condition, usually triggered by anaesthetic drugs and is caused by an increase in metabolic rate, which is driven by an increase in intracellular calcium levels in muscle Bit.
Professional responsibilities This procedure should be undertaken only after approved training, supervised practice and competency assessment, and carried out in accordance with local policies and protocols. References Arslan GG et al Analysis of the effect of lying on the ear on body temperature measurement using a tympanic thermometer. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ; 11, Nursing Times [online]; 45, London: NICE. London: Resuscitation Council UK. London: RCP.
Related files. NT Contributor. Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions. Links may be included in your comments but HTML is not permitted. We use cookies to personalize and improve your experience on our site. Visit our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to learn more. In general, there are two types of thermometers. Touch, or contact, thermometers must touch the body in order to measure temperature.
Remote, or no contact, thermometers can measure body temperature without touching the skin. The most common kind of contact thermometer uses electronic heat sensors to record body temperature. These thermometers can be used on the forehead, mouth, armpit or rectum. Most electronic thermometers have a digital display that shows you the temperature reading. Rectal temperatures provide the most-accurate readings for infants, especially those 3 months or younger, as well as children up to age 3.
Temperatures taken from the armpit are usually the least accurate. For older children and adults, oral readings are usually accurate — as long as the mouth is closed while the thermometer is in place. If you plan to use an electronic contact thermometer to take both oral and rectal temperatures, get two thermometers and label one for oral use and one for rectal use.
Don't use the same thermometer in both places. Many schools, businesses and health care settings are screening visitors for fever. A remote thermometer that doesn't require skin contact allows people to remain further apart. Remote thermometers can be used on the forehead temporal artery or the ear tympanic. Remote forehead thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.
Remote ear thermometers, also called tympanic thermometers, use an infrared ray to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. Once a staple in most medicine cabinets, mercury thermometers use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature. Mercury thermometers are no longer recommended because they can break and allow mercury — which is toxic — to escape. If you have a mercury thermometer, don't throw it in the trash. Contact your local trash collection program to see if there's a hazardous waste collection site in your area.
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