Can training improve the results with infrared tympanic thermometers?

Abstract

Training had little effect on the accuracy of the measurements. According to our results, ITT is often unreliable and should be used with caution.

Tympanic temperature measurements: Are they reliable in the critically ill? A clinical study of measures of agreement*

“…Second, Amoateng-Adjepong et al (11) reported greater variability of readings when tympanic measurements were performed by nurses in routine clinical practice. Before commencement of the current study, inservice education was undertaken, although "training" may have little impact on the performance of tympanic temperature measurement (56). Third, no specific detailed examination of the ears was undertaken during the study to rule out local factors in the ear (e.g., cerumen, perforation) that may have influenced tympanic temperature measurements.…”

Temperature measurement in intensive care patients: comparison of urinary bladder, oesophageal, rectal, axillary, and inguinal methods versus pulmonary artery core method

“…Core temperature can also be assessed using tympanic thermometers. However, this method is not available in every intensive care unit as it is time-consuming and requires trained operators [5,8,9]. Moreover, it has been shown that tympanic thermometry is not reliable in critically ill patients [10].…”

Fever or not fever – that’s the question: A cohort study of simultaneously measured rectal and ear temperatures in febrile patients with suspected infection

“…Rectal temperature is in general higher than at other places, [31,32] due to the low blood flow and high isolation of the area, leading to a low heat loss. [33] Also, the heat-producing activity of micro-organisms in faeces influences the reading. [34] In line with previous research, [10] it is also obvious that the difference between rectal and ear temperatures differs between individuals, strengthening that exact…”