Comparative accuracy testing of non-contact infrared thermometers and temporal artery thermometers in an adult hospital setting

Khan, Shahrukh; Saultry, Bridey; Adams, Scott; Kouzani, Abbas Z.; Decker, Kelly; Digby, Robin; Bucknall, Tracey

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2020.09.012

Cited by 42 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first IRT study which has reported face-mask type as a demographic factor and investigated its impact on measurement error. Our earlier study using NCIT devices in a hospital setting found that demographic factors (age, skin tone and gender) also impacted measurement results, so it appears that there is scope for future research to determine their precise impact on the performance of infrared measurement systems in fever-screening scenarios 12 . Finally, we do not believe that the use of masks had a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficacy of the measurements being taken.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An initial study on the agreement of body temperatures measured by infrared cameras and oral thermometry

Adams

Bucknall

Kouzani

2021

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption and rollout of thermal camera-based Infrared Thermography (IRT) systems for fever detection. These systems use facial infrared emissions to detect individuals exhibiting an elevated core-body temperature, which is present in many symptomatic presentations of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the rollout of these systems, there is little independent research supporting their efficacy. The primary objective of this study was to assess the precision and accuracy of IRT screening solutions in a real-world scenario. The method used was a single-centre, observational study investigating the agreement of three IRT systems compared to digital oral thermometer measurements of body temperature. Over 5 days, 107 measurements were taken from individuals wearing facial masks. During each entry, two measurements of the subject’s body temperature were made from each system to allow for the evaluation of the measurement precision, followed by an oral thermometer measurement. Each participant also answered a short demographic survey. This study found that the precision of the IRT systems was wider than 0.3 °C claimed accuracy of two of the systems. This study also found that the IRT measurements were only weakly correlated to those of the oral temperature. Additionally, it was found that demographic characteristics (age, gender, and mask-type) impacted the measurement error. This study indicates that using IRT systems in front-line scenarios poses a potential risk, where a lack of measurement accuracy could possibly allow febrile individuals to pass through undetected. Further research is required into methods which could increase accuracy and improve the techniques viability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An initial study on the agreement of body temperatures measured by infrared cameras and oral thermometry

Adams

Bucknall

Kouzani

2021

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…Most non-invasive temperature measuring modalities possess a fixed offset that is generally software-corrected [ 28 , 29 ], which was intentionally not employed over the course of this study. In many circumstances, despite values aligning closely at specific temperatures, they poorly predict the presence or absence of fever due to significant variability in the measurement [ 7 , 30 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of cutaneous facial temperature using infrared thermography to standard temperature measurement in the critical care setting

Chan

Tay

Chen

et al. 2021

J Clin Monit Comput

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To assess the accuracy and precision of infrared cameras compared to traditional measures of temperature measurement in a temperature, humidity, and distance controlled intensive care unit (ICU) population. This was a prospective, observational methods comparison study in a single centre ICU in Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. A convenience sample of 39 patients admitted to a single room equipped with two ceiling mounted thermal imaging cameras was assessed, comparing measured cutaneous facial temperature via thermal camera to clinical temperature standards. Uncorrected correlation of camera measurement to clinical standard in all cases was poor, with the maximum reported correlation 0.24 (Wide-angle Lens to Bladder temperature). Using the wide-angle lens, mean differences were − 11.1 °C (LoA − 14.68 to − 7.51), − 11.1 °C ( − 14.3 to − 7.9), and − 11.2 °C ( − 15.23 to − 7.19) for axillary, bladder, and oral comparisons respectively (Fig. 1 a). With respect to the narrow-angle lens compared to the axillary, bladder and oral temperatures, mean differences were − 7.6 °C ( − 11.2 to − 4.0), − 7.5 °C ( − 12.1 to − 2.9), and − 7.9 °C ( − 11.6 to − 4.2) respectively. AUCs for the wide-angle lens and narrow-angle lens ranged from 0.53 to 0.70 and 0.59 to 0.79 respectively, with axillary temperature demonstrating the greatest values. Infrared thermography is a poor predictor of patient temperature as measured by existing clinical standards. It has a moderate ability to discriminate fever. It is unclear if this would be sensitive enough for infection screening purposes. Fig. 1 Bland–Altman plots for temperatures measured using clinical standards to infrared camera. a Wide-angle camera versus bladder temperature. b Narrow-angle camera versus bladder temperature Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10877-021-00731-y.

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“…To the authors' knowledge, this is the first IRT study which has reported skin tone and face-mask type as demographic factors and investigated their impact on measurement error. Our earlier study using NCIT devices in a hospital setting found that these demographic factors (age, skin tone and gender) also impacted measurement results, so it appears that there is scope for future research to determine their precise impact on the performance of infrared measurement systems in fever-screening scenarios 12 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These systems meet many of the criteria for a successful mass screening system, they are non-contact, require no consumables, are rapid, and in the case of IRT systems the operator can be physically distanced from the subject. While the use of NCIT devices has been explored in a hospital setting through a number of clinical trials and research articles, and that many of NCIT devices have achieved appropriate medical device approvals, these are not yet established for most IRT systems [11][12][13] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Agreement of Body Temperatures Measured by Infrared Cameras and Oral Thermometry

Adams

Bucknall

Kouzani

2020

Preprint

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption and rollout of thermal camera-based Infrared Thermography (IRT) systems for fever detection. These systems use facial infrared emissions to detect individuals exhibiting an elevated core-body temperature, which is present in many symptomatic presentations of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the rollout of these systems, there is little independent research supporting their efficacy. The primary objective of this study was to assess the precision and accuracy of IRT screening solutions in a real-world scenario.Methods and Findings: A single-centre, observational study investigated the agreement of three IRT systems compared to digital oral thermometer measurements of body temperature. Over five days, 107 measurements were taken from individuals wearing facial masks. During each entry, two measurements of the subject’s body temperature were made from each system to allow for the evaluation of the measurement precision, followed by an oral thermometer measurement. Each participant also answered a short demographic survey. This study found that the precision of the IRT systems was wider than 0.3 °C claimed accuracy of two of the systems. This study also found that the IRT measurements were only weakly correlated to those of the oral temperature. Additionally, it was found that demographic characteristics (age, gender, skin colour, mask-type) impacted the measurement error.Conclusions: This study indicates that using IRT systems in front-line scenarios poses a potential risk, where a lack of measurement accuracy could possibly allow febrile individuals to pass through undetected. Further research is required into methods which could increase accuracy and improve the techniques viability.

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Comparative accuracy testing of non-contact infrared thermometers and temporal artery thermometers in an adult hospital setting

Abstract: Highlights Non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) are rapid, non-invasive devices. NCITs demonstrate variable accuracy levels across populations. A low sensitivity was found for temperatures over 37.5°C. NCITs accuracy depends on close adherence to operational guidelines.

Cited by 42 publications

References 13 publications

An initial study on the agreement of body temperatures measured by infrared cameras and oral thermometry

An initial study on the agreement of body temperatures measured by infrared cameras and oral thermometry

Comparison of cutaneous facial temperature using infrared thermography to standard temperature measurement in the critical care setting

A Study on the Agreement of Body Temperatures Measured by Infrared Cameras and Oral Thermometry

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