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Neonatal axillary temperature measurements: a comparison of electronic thermometer predictive and monitor modes
1Department of Research and Evaluation, Victoria General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Objective:
To determine whether predictive mode axillary temperature measurement is accurate in full-term newborns.
Design:
Prospective, descriptive, comparative study.
Setting:
An acute-care community hospital in western Canada.
Patients:
A convenience sample of 72 healthy full-term newborns.
Main Outcome Measures:
Predictive and monitor mode axillary temperatures were measured once for each participant. Monitor mode axillary temperature served as the reference. Predictive and monitor mode axillary temperatures were compared using paired t tests and correlation analysis (Pearson's r). The time for monitor mode stabilization also was determined.
Results:
A statistically but not clinically significant difference (.08 degrees C) between mean predictive and monitor mode axillary temperatures as well as a positive correlation were noted. Mean stabilization time for monitor mode axillary temperature was 3 minutes.
Conclusion:
The use of predictive mode temperature measurement at the axillary site in full-term healthy newborns is supported by this study. Although mean placement time for monitor mode temperature stabilization was 3 minutes, almost half of the sample did not achieve a stabilized temperature within this time. Further study is recommended in this area.