ABSTRACT
Temperature is an important vital sign especially in neonates. Providing thermal comfort to baby is part of essential newborn care. The ideal temperature measurement method should be accurate, safe, noninvasive, time efficient, easy to operate and non-disturbing to baby. Mercury thermometers have been banned; rectal measurements are hazardous. Digital axillary thermometers although widely accepted, also have their limitations and sometimes produce questionable results in newborn. Infrared forehead thermometry is a promising tool with controversial results; hence this newer technology needs to be repeatedly tested and validated.METHODSThis is a prospective comparative study conducted in a tertiary care hospital situated in the hilly areas of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. We simultaneously recorded three temperatures at three sites by different methods and different thermometers Forehead skin temperature was recorded in apparently normal newborns by INNOVA infrared thermometer and axillary temperature was recorded by digital thermometer and rectal temperature was recorded by mercury in glass thermometer.RESULTS260 newborns were included in the study. Data was analysed for correlation by Pearson r coefficient and for agreement by Bland-Altman method. A strong correlation was found between infrared forehead temperature and digital axillary temperature with a Pearson r of 0.826 and 0.801 between infrared forehead temperature and rectal mercury thermometer. Bland-Altman analysis of difference produced a mean difference of 0.49 and level of agreement of -1.67 and +2.65 when axillary digital and infrared forehead thermometry measurements were compared. Mean difference of 0.15 with level of agreement as -2.09 and +2.40 were obtained when rectal mercury and infrared forehead temperatures were compared.CONCLUSIONSAlthough a strong correlation of infrared skin thermometry was found with both axillary digital and rectal mercury temperature measurements. The level of agreement has a wide variation which is not clinically acceptable hence infrared forehead skin thermometry is not recommended for use in newborns.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of wireless wearable intelligent body temperature monitoring system on temperature monitoring of perioperative patients. Method The body temprature of 572 patients with abdoiminal surgery who hospitalized in our hospital from June 2017 to Juanuary 2018 was measured by mercury thermometers and wireless intelligent body temprature monitoring system four times a day for three days with toally 6864 times after surgery.The measured time and data by both ways were compared and its relativity were analyzed. Results The measured data by mercury thermometers and wireless intelligent body temprature monitoring system was compared with no statistical significance (P>0.05), but the time measured by wireless intelligent body temprature monitoring system was shorter (P＜0.05). The measured data of two ways was postively related (r=0.962,P＜0.05). Conclusions The measurement results by the wireless wearable intelligent body temperature monitoring system are the same as by mercury thermometers. The accuracy of the system is well validated, and it can improve the working efficiency of nurses.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the current ~atus of mercury thermometer applied in China and the replacement of it by electric thermometer.Methods A systematic review of the literatures was undertaken,and the mercury pollution caused by mercury thermometer was reviewed,the measures taken by various countries to reduce the use of mercury thermometer were introduced.The difficulty in promoting electric thermometer in China was analyzed,and some measures were proposed accordingly.Results Most of the population including medical staffs had few awareness of the hazard of mercury thermometer to the environment,while the promotion of electric thermometer was obstructed due to the deficiencies in propaganda andpolicies.Conclusion It's suggested emphases be placed on propaganda and measures to replace mercury thermometer by electric one to decrease mercury pollution.
ABSTRACT
Objective This study investigated the differences between axillary temperature monitored for 5min and 10min with mercury in glass thermometers. Methods A sample of 365 patients had axillary temperatures monitored for five minutes and ten minutes, Relevant research data were analyzed by meta analysis. Results At α=0.05 level, the result of paired t test between 5 minutes and 10 minutes temperature indicated that there was statistical difference, Meta analysis had the same result, Temperaturedata of 365 patients were expressed in the Bland-Altman plot which displayed that their consistency can not be accepted in the professional. Conclusions The optimal axillary mercury thermometer placement time for recording human body temperature is 10 minutes.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the differences of temperature results between mercury thermometer and infrared thermometer. Methods The temperature of three parts was recorded respectively by mercury thermometer in axilla and infrared thermometer in forehead and earlobe on the same patient, totally 98 patients were recorded in ICU. Results There was statistical difference of three parts' temperature in 98 cases. It could be assumed that axilla temperature ＞ earlobe temperature ＞ forehead temperature;There was no statistical difference of three parts' temperature in 17 cases with temperature 38.0～38.9 ℃ by mercury thermometer, but the difference had clinical significance. It could be assumed that axilla temperature ＞ earlobe temperature ＞ forehead temperature; There was statistical difference of three parts' temperature in 30 cases with temperature at 37.0～37.9 ℃ by mercury thermometer. It could be assumed that axilla temperature ＞ earlobe temperature ＞ forehead temperature. There was no statistical difference of three parts'temperature in 51 cases with temperature at 35.0～36.9 ℃ by mercury thermometer. Conclusions Temperature of the patients with normal axilla temperature could be monitored by infrared thermometer instead of mercury thermometer,but it is not applicable to the patients with fever.