Clinical Accuracy and Reliability of Infrared Tympanic Thermometer in an Adult Emergency Department

Clinical Accuracy and Reliability of Infrared Tympanic Thermometer in an Adult Emergency Department

The primary aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of an infrared thermometer compared to the gold standard, mercury-in-glass thermometer. The secondary aim was to compare tympanic and axillary temperature measurements by evaluating agreement and correlation to determine whether an infrared tympanic thermometer can replace an axillary mercury thermometer in the emergency department.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above 37.5°C measured by axillary mercury thermometer

Exclusion Criteria:

1. otitis external/media
2. soft-tissue infection over the axillary fossa and forehead
3. complete occlusion by earwax
4. severe illness
5. trauma