Oral, axillary, and tympanic temperature measurements in older and younger adults with or without fever

Abstract

Tympanic thermometers seem to be optimal for use with the elderly population. Owing to the ease of application, safety, and tolerability in the elderly; their use in routine practice seems to be advantageous. Higher reading of tympanic measurements may lead to a suspicion of infection, especially in the elderly, which may be helpful in clinical treatment in this age group.

Comparison of three different thermometers in evaluating the body temperature of healthy young adult individuals

“…The tympanic thermometer can be perceived as an appropriate thermometer, considering its high level of conformity with the chemical dot thermometer and its ease of use. There are some studies in the literature that do not promote the use of tympanic membrane thermometers, [32][33][34][35][36] and there are those that do promote their use. 16,[37][38][39][40] In our study, the body temperatures measured with the tympanic membrane and chemical dot thermometers were found to be highly similar.…”

Emergency Nursing Resource: Non-Invasive Temperature Measurement in the Emergency Department

“…When TM temperatures (using measurements in both ears) were compared to oral temperature measurements in both febrile and afebrile adult ED patients the mean differences were not significant, however there were significant differences (P < 0.0001) between older patients (65 years or older) and younger patients (under 65 years) when comparing oral to TM temperature measurements (Onur, Guneysel, Akoglu, Aydin, & Denizbasi, 2008). Integrative review analyses concluded that there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the accuracy of temperature measurement using TM thermometers, given the variability in the accuracy and precision of TM measurements in a number of published research studies .…”

“…However there were significant differences (P < 0.0001) by age groups of older patients (65 years or older) and younger patients (under 65 years) when comparing oral to axillary temperature measurements (Onur et al, 2008). In a meta-analysis, comparing axillary and rectal temperatures among pediatric patients, the mean differences between rectal and axillary temperature for neonates was 0.17°C (-0.15°C to +0.5°C) and 0.92°C (-0.15°C to +1.98°C) among older children and adolescents (Craig, 2000).…”

Tympanic ear thermometer assessment of body temperature among patients with cognitive disturbances. An acceptable and ethically desirable alternative?

“…Here, the infrared tympanic thermometers are the most commonly used devices in clinical practice . In relation to patients with cognitive disturbances, the tympanic thermometer has been found acceptable in predicting rectal temperatures in a population of elderly who often demonstrate functional disturbances similar to patients with acquired brain injuries . Hence, the ear may provide an acceptable and ethically desirable noninvasive core measurement of body temperature among patients with acquired brain injuries.…”

“…Measuring the body temperature with an infrared tympanic thermometer has been debated because it has a relatively low reproducibility compared with the rectal measurement . A number of studies have compared the various modes of thermometry . Taking the history of rectal temperature measurement as a reference measure into consideration, there are remarkably few studies of the accuracy and repeatability of infrared tympanic measurements with rectal thermometry as reference in detecting and excluding fever .…”