Using a Infrared Thermometer to the Early Detection of Catheter Related Infections

Using Non-contact Infrared Thermometry to Detection of Central Venous Catheter Related Infection.

This is a pilot study which aims to show the temperatures measured on body surface with an infrared thermometer on inpatients who need a central venous catheter (CVC) for medical care. Because the local temperature could be altered, at least during local infectious processes, seems to be reasonable to think that this approach could be helpful to its early diagnosis.

By convenience sampling, it was expected that during 4 months, a minimum of 30 inpatients of the metabolic, clinical or intensive care wards, at the Clinical Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil, would have their data collected

Inclusion Criteria:

• Need of a central venous catheter for medical care.
• Be an inpatient of the metabolic, clinical or intensive care wards

Exclusion Criteria:

• Be in treatment course of a catheter related infection.