title: Equivalence Study of Two Temperature-Measurement Methods in Febrile Adult Patients With Cancer.
abstract: To assess equivalence of temperatures taken via temporal artery and oral methods in febrile inpatients with cancer. .
  
  
  
  Repeated measures equivalence design. .
  
  
  
  24-bed hematology-oncology unit and 36-bed blood and marrow transplantation unit at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Tampa, Florida. .
  
  
  
  Convenience sample of 58 febrile inpatients using 60 temperature measurements. .
  
  
  
  Two instruments were used.
  
  
  
  Temperature readings from oral and temporal artery measurements. .
  
  
  
  A two one-sided test (TOST) technique with a delta of 0.2ºF was performed to assess equivalence of the oral and temporal artery measures. Within each team member, the oral and temporal artery measures were assessed using the TOST technique. The hypothesis of equivalence was rejected for all three team members.  .
  
  
  
  The use of the Exergen TAT-5000 for temperature measurement as a noninvasive alternate to the oral method for febrile adult patients in the hematology-oncology population was not supported.  .
  
  
  
  The Exergen TAT-5000 is not a reliable instrument for detecting fevers in the hematology-oncology patient population because the temporal artery measures were not equivalent to oral measures, and considerable variation occurred for the three nurses. Alternative methods for accurate temperature collection need to be investigated, particularly for febrile, neutropenic patients who cannot tolerate the oral probe.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa.
authors.forename: Tina M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
authors.forename: Abdelbaki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boubekri
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lalau
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hartranft
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
authors.forename: Steven K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sutton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001831:Body Temperature; D000068598:Data Accuracy; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000209:etiology*; D013699:Temporal Arteries
keywords: equivalence design; oncology nursing; oral; temperature measurement; temporal artery; thermometer; vital signs 