Journal of pediatric oncology nursing : official journal of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses
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J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Oct 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of axillary and infrared tympanic membrane thermometry in a pediatric oncology outpatient setting.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether infrared tympanic membrane thermometry can replace mercury-in-glass temperatures as an assessment tool for detecting fevers earlier and more reliably in a pediatric oncology outpatient setting. A total of 313 patient visits had infrared tympanic temperatures (obtained by using the LighTouch LTX Pedi-Q thermometer (Exergen; Watertown, MA) and axillary temperatures taken simultaneously (obtained by using mercury-in-glass thermometers). Those patients with a normal axillary temperature and an elevated tympanic measurement of 38 degrees C or higher had a follow-up axillary temperature conducted that evening to determine whether an elevated tympanic temperature predicted on coming fever or infection. ⋯ Elevated tympanic temperatures were not predictive of oncoming fever or infection. Fevers were not missed when using the tympanic method. To prevent unnecessary medical intervention, it is recommended that mercury-in-glass thermometers verify elevated tympanic temperatures.