Need for a reliable system to measure body temperature

Abstract

To the Editor:We read with interest the report by Ostrowsky et al,1.Ostrowsky B Ober J Wenzel R Edmond M The case of the cold thermometers.Am J Infect Control. 2003; 31: 57-59Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar regarding the lack of precision of a temporal artery thermometer and their product evaluation process. A temporal artery thermometer, with a similar description to that trialed in the above referenced paper, was investigated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.Similar to Ostrowsky and colleagues, we sought an easy, reliable system to measure body temperature. We, too, were hesitant to accept this device without peer-reviewed literature to support the marketing claims. Therefore, we conducted a trial in which 2 trained observers measured the body temperature of 34 ICU patients using a temporal artery thermometer, tympanic membrane thermometer, and oral thermometer. The patient's core temperature, as assessed by a pulmonary artery catheter, was regarded as the gold standard. Correlation between the temporal artery thermometer and the core body temperature was poor (r = 0.693) and did not support introduction of this device to our institution. Unfortunately, correlation between tympanic membrane thermometry and the core body temperature was only marginally better than the temporal artery thermometer (r = 0.721), and oral thermometry exhibited the least amount of agreement (r = 0.51).Our experience, and that of others,2.Giuliano K Scott S Elliot S Giuliano A Temperature measurement in critically ill orally intubated adults: a comparison of pulmonary artery core, tympanic, and oral methods.Crit Care Med. 1999; 27: 2188-2193Crossref PubMed Scopus (101) Google Scholar indicates a need for reliable means to assess body temperature. We concur with the conclusions of Ostrowsky and colleagues that peer-reviewed studies should be sought in evaluation of new technology and pilot studies should be conducted before introduction of a product if clear support for the product cannot be established in the literature. To the Editor: We read with interest the report by Ostrowsky et al,1.Ostrowsky B Ober J Wenzel R Edmond M The case of the cold thermometers.Am J Infect Control. 2003; 31: 57-59Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar regarding the lack of precision of a temporal artery thermometer and their product evaluation process. A temporal artery thermometer, with a similar description to that trialed in the above referenced paper, was investigated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Similar to Ostrowsky and colleagues, we sought an easy, reliable system to measure body temperature. We, too, were hesitant to accept this device without peer-reviewed literature to support the marketing claims. Therefore, we conducted a trial in which 2 trained observers measured the body temperature of 34 ICU patients using a temporal artery thermometer, tympanic membrane thermometer, and oral thermometer. The patient's core temperature, as assessed by a pulmonary artery catheter, was regarded as the gold standard. Correlation between the temporal artery thermometer and the core body temperature was poor (r = 0.693) and did not support introduction of this device to our institution. Unfortunately, correlation between tympanic membrane thermometry and the core body temperature was only marginally better than the temporal artery thermometer (r = 0.721), and oral thermometry exhibited the least amount of agreement (r = 0.51). Our experience, and that of others,2.Giuliano K Scott S Elliot S Giuliano A Temperature measurement in critically ill orally intubated adults: a comparison of pulmonary artery core, tympanic, and oral methods.Crit Care Med. 1999; 27: 2188-2193Crossref PubMed Scopus (101) Google Scholar indicates a need for reliable means to assess body temperature. We concur with the conclusions of Ostrowsky and colleagues that peer-reviewed studies should be sought in evaluation of new technology and pilot studies should be conducted before introduction of a product if clear support for the product cannot be established in the literature.