Accuracy of digital tympanic, oral, axillary, and rectal thermometers compared with standard rectal mercury thermometers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a number of electronic tympanic, oral, axillary, and rectal measurements with those taken with a standard rectal mercury thermometer.


METHODS
Prospective open study.


METHODS
County hospital, Denmark.


METHODS
200 patients.


METHODS
Each of 200 patients had 6 electronic measurements of body temperature: 3 in the auditory canal using Ivac Core Check 2090A, Diateck 9000, and Genius 3000A, 1 in the axilla using Terumo Digital C202. 1 in the mouth using Terumo Digital C402, and 1 in the rectum using a Terumo Digital C402. These were compared with readings from a standard mercury glass thermometer in the rectum.


METHODS
Accuracy of electronic thermometry.


RESULTS
The rectal electronic measurements were closest to the rectal mercury readings, with a mean (SD) of -0.05 degrees C (0.12), whereas the other measurements gave unacceptable SDs of temperature differences ranging from 0.41 degrees C to 0.53 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that electronic rectal temperature measurements are the most accurate. We do not recommend electronic tympanic, oral, or axillary measurements.
Jensen
B N
BN
Surgical Department, Hjørring Hospital, Denmark.
Jensen
F S
FS
Madsen
S N
SN
Løssl
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012007:Rectum; D013821:Thermometers; D014432:Tympanic Membrane