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Pediatric temperature measurement and child/parent/nurse preference using three temperature measurement instruments
Sharon Jackson Barton1, Rebecca Gaffney, Teresa Chase
1Callege of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, USA. sharon.barton@uky.edu
Insights
This study found tympanic thermometers more accurate for measuring child temperature than electronic or chemical axillary methods. Both children and healthcare providers preferred the tympanic thermometer for ease of use and accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Medical Devices
- Clinical Thermometry
Background:
- Accurate temperature measurement is crucial in pediatric care.
- Traditional axillary thermometers may lack precision.
- Exploring advanced thermometry methods is essential for improved patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of tympanic thermometers against electronic and chemical dot axillary thermometers.
- To evaluate preferences for different temperature measurement devices and sites among children, parents, and nurses.
- To assess the agreement between various thermometry methods using the Bland-Altman analysis.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 146 children.
- Temperature measurements were taken using tympanic, electronic axillary, and chemical dot axillary thermometers.
- Preference data were collected from child participants, parents, and nurses.
- Bland-Altman method was employed for agreement analysis.
Main Results:
- Most paired temperature readings were within the Bland-Altman limits of agreement.
- Tympanic thermometer readings showed closer agreement with electronic axillary readings compared to chemical dot axillary readings.
- Chemical dot axillary thermometers consistently recorded higher temperatures than electronic axillary thermometers.
- The tympanic thermometer was the preferred device across all groups: children, parents, and nurses.
Conclusions:
- Tympanic thermometers offer a more accurate and preferred method for pediatric temperature measurement compared to axillary electronic and chemical dot thermometers.
- The tympanic method demonstrates better agreement with established electronic axillary measurements.
- Clinical practice may benefit from adopting tympanic thermometry for improved accuracy and user satisfaction in pediatric settings.
Abstract:
This study compared the tympanic thermometer with the electronic and chemical dot thermometers used at the axillary site and evaluated child, parent, and nurse preferences for method of temperature measurement. The child's (n = 146) temperature was measured using each of the three methods. Each child, parent, and nurse was asked to select a preference for device and site. Results were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method. Results showed that most of the paired readings fell within the Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA). When the chemical dot and tympanic temperature readings were compared with the electronic axillary reading, the tympanic thermometer was found to be in closer agreement. The chemical dot thermometer placed in the axilla consistently read higher than the electronic thermometer in the same site. Children, parents, and nurses preferred the tympanic thermometer.
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