Can a non-contact infrared thermometer be used interchangeably with other thermometers in an adult Emergency Department?

Summary 

Introduction

Thermofocus^® (Tecnimed, Italy) is a non-contact thermometer licensed for use in babies and adults. Accuracy of this instrument in adults is uncertain.

Objective

To perform a pilot study to assess the reliability and validity of Thermofocus^® in an adult Emergency Department (ED) population.

Methods

Temperatures were measured on a convenience sample of ED and ICU patients. In the ED group, paired Thermofocus^® readings and a single SureTemp^® (Welch Allyn, USA) oral temperature reading were taken a minute apart. In the ICU group, paired Thermofocus^® readings and a single Mon-a-therm Foley-Temp^® catheter (Tyco Healthcare, USA) reading were taken a minute apart. Reliability and validity of Thermofocus^® measurements were assessed.

Results

Seventy-four SureTemp^® readings in ED ranged from 35.4 to 37.8°C (mean 36.6°C, S.D. 0.5°C). Nineteen Mon-a-therm Foley-Temp^® readings in ICU ranged from 35.0 to 39.5°C (mean 37.7°C, S.D. 0.3°C). The mean difference between paired Thermofocus^® readings was 0.00°C (S.D. 0.15°C) with limits of agreement between −0.30 and +0.30°C. Thermofocus^® read 0.87°C (S.D. 0.58°C) and 1.17°C (S.D. 0.67°C) lower than SureTemp^® and Mon-a-therm Foley-Temp^® catheter, respectively.

Conclusion

Thermofocus^® measurements were reliable. The study showed poor agreement (i.e. low validity) between temperatures measured by Thermofocus^® when compared to the other thermometers in use currently at our institution.

Keywords: Temperature, Measurement, Thermometer, Emergency, Fever