Abstract
Exposure to ambient temperature extremes immediately preceding emergency department triage may affect tympanic membrane temperatures taken with infrared emission detection thermometers. In a prospective, unblined study, 20 healthy subjects, on 2 separate days, underwent 15-minute exposures to hot (43.5°C) and cold (−5°C) temperature extremes in an environmental control room (ECR). Tympanic and oral temperatures were taken at baseline and at 2-minute intervals for 20 minutes after exiting the ECR. Rectal temperatures remained stable during the exposures. Oral temperatures rose significantly after hot exposure ( P < .05; max 0.4°C) and briefly decreased after cold exposure (max 0.5°C). Tympanic temperatures were elevated for 20 minutes after hot exposure (max 0.8°C) and decreased briefly only in male subjects after cold exposure (max 0.7°C). Individuals demonstrated wide variability in their temperature responses. Tympanic and oral temperatures taken within the first 20 minutes after exposure to outdoor temperature extremes may fall to accurately reflect the patient's true temperature.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
