Accuracy of Temporal Artery Thermometry In Neonatal Intensive Care Infants
- Compare the difference between a core body temperature and noninvasive temperature measuremnts.
- Describe the accuracy of infra-red temperature measurement to axillary temperature measurement.
- Describe the discomfort level of infra-red temperature measurement to axillary temperature measurement.
Design: Temperatures were measured once with all three devices (infra-red temporal artery; axillary electronic; indwelling rectal probe) according to manufacturers' directions. Neonate discomfort was rated before and after each temperature measurement. Calculation of bias and precision was performed and data graphed according to the Bland-Altman method. Differences between temperatures obtained with the three devices were analyzed with ANOVA and changes in discomfort ratings were analyzed with Chi squared analysis. The level of significance for all statistical tests was p < 0.05.
Setting: Level IIIa NICU
Patients/Participants: Convenience sample of neonates between the ages of 32 and 40 weeks gestation cared for in an isolette or crib.
Methods: A convenience sample of neonates between the ages of 32 and 40 weeks gestation cared for in an isolette or crib was obtained. A method-comparison design was used to compare different methods for noninvasive temperature monitoring (infra-red temporal artery; axillary electronic) to core body temperatures (indwelling rectal probe).
Results: Bias and precision for the temporal artery and axillary devices were 0.30 ± .44 and 0.28 ± 0.33, respectively. ANOVA found significant differences between both temporal and axillary temperatures compared to rectal temperatures (p < 0.01). Statistical differences were small and did not represent a clinically important difference. No statistical difference was found between temporal artery and axillary temperatures (p=0.81). Increases in neonate discomfort after temperature measurement were significantly greater with axillary compared to temporal artery temperature measurement (p=0.03).
Conclusion/Implications for nursing practice: This study found that measurement of body temperature with the temporal artery thermometer was similar to temperatures obtained with an axillary thermometer in stable, afebrile neonates. Use of temporal artery thermometry appears to be an acceptable approach for noninvasive temperature measurement in neonates which cause less discomfort in neonates.
Keywords: temporal artery temperature, axillary temperature, rectal temperature, core temperature
