Temporal Thermometer Effectiveness in Pediatric Populations

Abstract

Are temporal thermometers more accurate in pediatric population, compared with standard methods of temperature collection for diagnosing and ruling out fever in children? This project will discuss the research on the accuracy of temporal thermometers versus more traditional methods. Comparisons have been made in both afebrile and febrile children. Research has shown that temporal scanners are just as accurate as oral thermometers in afebrile patients. However, temporal thermometers do not seem to be accurate enough in febrile patients to be used clinically. Different research has yielded similar results. Most have been tested on younger children from 4-36 months with convenience sampling. Conclusions have been made that temporal thermometers are fine to use in children over three months of age for well child visits. It is not appropriate for children under the age of three months or for children that are sick and could possibly have a fever. As with any research, there are some barriers. One is uncertainty that the thermometer is being used correctly to produce accurate results. Another barrier is the convenience sampling. This method brings with it a lack of confidence that the population being studied will represent a larger population and produce reliable results.