Clinical performance of infrared consumer-grade thermometers.
OBJECTIVE
Technology of ear infrared (IR) thermometers has improved. This study compared a modern ear thermometer to forehead or temporal artery thermometers.


METHODS
Temperatures were measured with a heated-tip ear thermometer, a temporal artery thermometer, 3 forehead thermometers, and a thermistor-based reference thermometer in monitor mode.


RESULTS
In 171 subjects, mean bias with the forehead thermometers was significantly higher (p < .001) than with the ear thermometer (0.01 degrees C +/- 0.41 degrees C). In 64 febrile subjects, bias with the ear thermometer was significantly lower than with 3 of the other thermometers. A false-negative reading was less likely with the ear thermometer (8%) versus the others (55%, 56%, 28%, and 47%).


CONCLUSIONS
Modem ear thermometry provides more precise measurements closer to those of a reference thermometer and is less likely to give false-negative readings than forehead or temporal artery measurements.
ClinStat Consulting LLC., USA.
Patricia A
PA
Hamilton
Rajesh S
RS
Kasbekar
Robert
R
Monro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004423:Ear; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005546:Forehead; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D013699:Temporal Arteries; D013821:Thermometers / Q000592:standards*