Comparison of the accuracy of three temperature measurement methods in emergency patients' pre-examination and triage

ObjectiveTo analyze the temperature measurement accuracy and differences of the vital-sign thermometer, red external ear thermometer and infrared frontal body thermometer in the pre-examination and triage of emergency patients.

MethodsA total of 175 patients were selected from the emergency department of a grade A tertiary hospital.The temperature of each patient was measured and recorded using the vital signs monitor, red external ear thermometer and frontal thermometer, respectively, and the accuracy and differences of three methods were compared.

ResultsThe results of the temperature measurement among three methods were statistically significant (P < 0.01), and the temperature measured by red outer ear thermometer and infrared frontal body thermometer was significantly lower than that measured by vital signs detector (P < 0.01). Among the patients with normal body temperature (36-37.2℃), the differences of the temperature measured by three methods were statistically significant(P < 0.05), and the temperature measured by red external ear thermometer and vital signs detector were higher than that by infrared frontal body thermometer (P < 0.05).

ConclusionsWhen the body temperature of emergency patients is measured, the frontal thermometer should only be used as preliminary screening, and the ear thermometer and vital sign thermometer have are good accuracy, little difference, and are suitable for clinical use in emergency patients.