Accuracy of Chemical Dot Thermometers in Critically Adults and Young Children

Abstract

Chemical dot thermometers are used widely, but their clinical accuracy is not well documented. Temperature measurements with chemical dot and electronic thermometers were compared at the oral site in 27 adults and the axillary site in 44 adults and 34 young children in critical care units. In adults, mean readings with chemical dot thermometers were lower by -0.4 degrees C orally, but higher by 0.4 degrees C in the axilla. Axillary readings in children did not differ significantly with the two methods, although individual differences of +/- 0.4 degrees C or more were common. Chemical dot thermometers provided rough temperature estimates, performing differently at the oral and axillary sites and in the two age groups.

Comparison of Temperature Measurement Devices in Post Anesthesia Patients

“…4,8,9,17 In our study, there was no statistical difference between the temperature sitesaxillary or oral; therefore, these measurements were analyzed as electronic or chemical. This finding is consistent with Erickson et al 28 Both the 3M Tempa-DotÔ Single-Use chemical clinical thermometer and the Alaris TURBO) TEMPÔ thermometer had moderately strong positive correlations with the OR core temperature, with an approximately 0.5 F degree difference between each device and the core temperature, and the correlation matrices indicate the same relationship (Fig 1). With this correlative relationship, the clinician would have to remember those differences between each device and the core temperature when using the temperature to make clinical decisions.…”

“…This patient sample size is by far the largest found in our literature review, 1,15,18,19,23,24,28 giving a power of 0.995. 28 According to Cohen,29 power is the ability of a test to detect an effect given that the effect actually exists, indicating that the sample size was large enough to be representative of the population. This effect size is more likely to yield significant results.…”

“…These studies also compared temperatures obtained by different routes, the different methods of thermometry to each other, and the different methods to core temperature. 1,4,15,16,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Hooper and Andrews 14 conducted an integrative review of studies that compared invasive and noninvasive temperature measurement methods. The articles reviewed included oral, tympanic, temporal, and oral/tympanic comparison studies.…”

ASPAN’s Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Promotion of Perioperative Normothermia: Second Edition

“…46,[57][58][59][60] In the investigation into risk factors, weight/body mass index (BMI) 46 82 Four studies have tested the ability of the chemical dot thermometer to estimate an electronic oral temperature. [83][84][85][86] Oral, tympanic membrane and temporal artery thermometers have been compared using the ICU population, but only three studies sampled perianesthesia patients. [86][87][88] Overall the research on perianesthesia temperature measurement is weak due to a lack of controls, insufficient statistical analysis, and lack of replication.…”

ASPAN's Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Promotion of Perioperative Normothermia

“…57 82 Four studies have tested the ability of the chemical dot thermometer to estimate an electronic oral temperature. [83][84][85][86] Oral, tympanic membrane, and temporal artery thermometers have been compared using the ICU population, but only three studies sampled perianesthesia patients. [86][87][88] Overall, the research on perianesthesia temperature measurement is weak due to a lack of controls, insufficient statistical analysis, and lack of replication.…”