title: Skin surface temperature: a possible new outcome measure for skin and soft tissue infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study describes the novel use of skin surface temperature to measure the severity and the response to treatment of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients admitted with SSTI for intravenous antibiotic therapy. Skin temperature was measured daily at the point of maximum heat on the SSTI affected limb and the non-affected limb using a non-contact laser thermometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three patients were included. Mean length of stay was 4.95 days. The difference between affected and unaffected limb was 3.5° C (95% CI 3.0-3.9) at day one and 2.1° C (95% CI 1.7-2.6) on the last day, a difference of 1.4° C (95% CI 0.7-1.9). Between day one and the last day, there was a significant reduction in affected limb temperature (mean reduction of 2.4° C, 95% CI 1.9-3.0 p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin surface temperature may hold a useful role in the management of SSTI.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, PhD, is Director, Hospital in the Home, Epworth Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montalto
authors.forename: Fletcher
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marijanovic
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meads
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012881:Skin Temperature; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents