Comparison of Infrared Tympanic Thermometer with Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

Objective: Non-contact infrared thermometer NCIT) is a quick, non-invasive, and easy-to-use method to measure body temperature, not requiring sterilization. We aimed to evaluate the reliability of NCIT in the first assessment of patients in a hospital. Material and Methods: The study was carried out in Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital between August and September 2013 with patients older than 4 months who were admitted to the infectious disease outpatient clinic or hospitalized. Body temperature of patients was measured with a tympanic infrared thermometer that is routinely used and with NCIT at the same time. Temperature values, age, and disease of patients were recorded. Results: During the study, 220 measurements were obtained from 76 patients. Fifteen 6.8%) of 220 tympanic measurements were > 38.0 degrees C, and 7 of them were also > 38.0 degrees C with NCIT measurements. The difference between tympanic and NCIT measurements for each reading was calculated. Positive and negative values were obtained when tympanic readings were higher and lower than NCIT readings, respectively. Mean difference was -0.5 degrees C (+/- 0.3) for negative values and 0.6 degrees C (+/- 0.4)degrees C for positive ones. Conclusion: NCIT can be preferred for screening of fever, but before routine use in hospitals, more expanded studies with NCIT should be performed.