European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Oral, axillary, and tympanic temperature measurements in older and younger adults with or without fever.
The purpose of this study was to compare the results of body temperature obtained by a nurse with standard mercury thermometers from axillary and oral regions with the results of infrared tympanic thermometer in febrile and afebrile patients/in older and younger adults with or without fever, and to determine whether tympanic measures are suitable for use in the elderly population. ⋯ Tympanic thermometers seem to be optimal for use with the elderly population. Owing to the ease of application, safety, and tolerability in the elderly; their use in routine practice seems to be advantageous. Higher reading of tympanic measurements may lead to a suspicion of infection, especially in the elderly, which may be helpful in clinical treatment in this age group.