Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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This study examined the accuracy of temporal artery and axillary temperatures compared with rectal temperatures in pediatric ED patients younger than 4 years. ⋯ Bias and precision values for the temporal artery, but not the axillary temperature, were within the acceptable range set by experts to use as a noninvasive substitute for core body temperature measurements. If properly used by ED staff, temporal artery thermometers could be used to obtain temperature in pediatric patients younger than 4 years, thus avoiding physical and psychological discomfort for the child and parent associated with obtaining rectal thermometers.