Tympanic Thermometer
Don or Marilyn Ver Meer
If so, do you find it is as accurate as oral or axillary methods? We
have been using it on adults and children and have often questioned the
accuracy.
Thanks, Marilyn
Jan K.
I have used the tympanic thermometer for the past few years on all ages
and have definitely found them inaccurate especially with high fevers.
This was verified by taking the temperature again with glass mercury
thermometers.
Jan
AngelBev
writes:
>> Is anyone using tympanic thermometers on infants and children?
>> If so, do you find it is as accurate as oral or axillary methods? We
>> have been using it on adults and children and have often questioned the
>> accuracy.
Tympaanic thermometers are only accurqate when the entire tip of the probe
can be inserted into the ear canal........there are other factors that
affect it like coming in from outdoors, the direction it's
pointed.........but if the tip is not able to be seated fully into the
entrance of the ear canal, then the temp will not be accurate........so in
most children under 2 years, some under 5 years, and even some adults with
small or narrow ear canals , an oral or rectal temp is the only accurate
way..........
Bev
Chris Sowell
> If so, do you find it is as accurate as oral or axillary methods? We
>have been using it on adults and children and have often questioned the
>accuracy.
YES! Tympanic thermometers are consistently inaccurate for me, and I've
not seen anyone else who feels they are accurate. I have really tried
to give these thermometers a chance, but I just can't get consistent
results. It's either digital or mercury for me.
Chris Sowell
Andreas Heidt
> >> If so, do you find it is as accurate as oral or axillary methods? We
> >> have been using it on adults and children and have often questioned the
> >> accuracy.
>
> most children under 2 years, some under 5 years, and even some adults with
> small or narrow ear canals , an oral or rectal temp is the only accurate
> way..........
We use this meassure of tempereatures with older people, also.
I recognized differences which were between 0.5 and 1 degree centigrade.
There are so many factors which influence the temperature in the ear.
I've been told about things like "the patient shouldn't have laid on his
ear before taking the temperature" and so on...
Alltogether I think it's an easy but unsecure method of taking a patients
temperature....
Greetings,
Andreas
// ******************************************************************** //
// ***** Andreas Heidt @ 2:241/565.20 (fidonet) ***** //
// ***** email: dark...@iguana.priconet.de ***** //
// ***** WWW : http://www.priconet.de/mitglied/darkwing/andy.htm ***** //
// ******************************************************************** //
AngelBev
dark...@catacomb.iguana.priconet.de (Andreas Heidt) writes:
>> >> Is anyone using tympanic thermometers on infants and children?
>Alltogether I think it's an easy but unsecure method of taking a patients
>temperature....
exactly!!!.............so for screening purposes it may be sufficient but
when an accurate tempersture is necessary DO NOT rely on a tympanic temp!!
Bev
Bsnurse069
" When the Crash-Cart's Empty, Da Code is Over!!!!! "
Pamela Wakefield
>Don or Marilyn Ver Meer wrote:
>>
>> Is anyone using tympanic thermometers on infants and children?
>> If so, do you find it is as accurate as oral or axillary methods? We
>> have been using it on adults and children and have often questioned the
>> accuracy.
>> Thanks, Marilyn
>I have used the tympanic thermometer for the past few years on all ages
>and have definitely found them inaccurate especially with high fevers.
>This was verified by taking the temperature again with glass mercury
>thermometers.
>Jan
I too oppose tympanic thermometers.When they first arrived on the
scene many doctors refused to accept a tympanic reading and began
writing an order to stipulate temp by old method.
rbr...@nbnet.nb.ca
TGollaher
readings are done via esophageal thermometers and we have found that the
tympanic thermometer is consistently reading lower than the esophageal and
we have cross-checked their accuracy with oral thermometers in the
recovery room and confirmed their inaccuracy.
TGollaher, SRNA
Chris Dennis
dark...@iguana.priconet.de wrote:
>
>There are so many factors which influence the temperature in the ear.
>I've been told about things like "the patient shouldn't have laid on his
>ear before taking the temperature" and so on...
>
>Alltogether I think it's an easy but unsecure method of taking a patients
>temperature....
>
I questioned this when I was on a medical ward last year. I took the
temperature of a patient who had been outside for a smoke, and it was
35.5C, and yet he obviously wasn't suffering from hypothermia! Nobody
else seemed to take the problem seriously.
regards
Chris
--
Chris Dennis den...@actrix.gen.nz
Wellington, Aotearoa phone: 64-4-382 8620
http://www.actrix.gen.nz/users/dennis/ PGP key available
Andreas Heidt
> I questioned this when I was on a medical ward last year. I took the
> temperature of a patient who had been outside for a smoke, and it was
> 35.5C, and yet he obviously wasn't suffering from hypothermia! Nobody
> else seemed to take the problem seriously.
Well, I think you shouldn't take it to serious until you want to have an
exact temperature (e.g. when the patient has fever).
But the tympanic thermometers are pretty nice to take a "fast" temperature
which says, if temeprature is too high or not.
In our hospital, we always take the tympanic thermometer and if the
patients temperatur is 37.5C or more, we take temperature rectal, too..
AKAARCHIE
tympanic thermometers from the department, due to their adamant belief in
the innacuracy of the tympanics.
RN49
It does not seem to be accurate in infants with small ears. I always
take a rectal(if medically ok) along with a tympanic at the beginning of
the shift to compare the two readings. This seems to help.
khadijah
>In article <314ACB...@execpc.com>, "Jan K." <ste...@execpc.com>
>writes:
>>> Is anyone using tympanic thermometers on infants and children?
>>> If so, do you find it is as accurate as oral or axillary methods? We
>>> have been using it on adults and children and have often questioned the
>>> accuracy.
>Tympaanic thermometers are only accurqate when the entire tip of the probe
>can be inserted into the ear canal......Bev
I agree with Bev...I work in longterm healthcare subacute/rehab..and
no one uses the brand new tympanic thermometers. To place it where it
should be placed in order to get an accurate reading is often painful
and irritating. So we are continuing to use the old standby Ivacs.
Vincent Taylor
has written onto us saying:
:>
:>Our Emergency Department Physicians recently insisted we remove the
:>tympanic thermometers from the department, due to their adamant belief in
:>the innacuracy of the tympanics.
:>
:>AKAA...@aol.com
This seems such a shame because if the tympanic thermometers are used
properly; ie, placed correctly within the ear canal with an adequately sized
orifice, they generally work great. Occasionally, I do get erroneous
readings; however, it is usually operator error or ?. Just curious, but how
do your ER MD's prefer you take the temps of, say, patients presenting with
SOB? An axillary might not be accurate due to diaphoresis or an oral due to
hyperventilation; therefore, a rectal is the only way to go? Well, I'm glad
we still have ours. :-)
bigt
> Our Emergency Department Physicians recently insisted we remove the
> tympanic thermometers from the department, due to their adamant belief in
> the innacuracy of the tympanics.
>
> AKAA...@aol.com
did. I showed a wide desrepancy in temps on the same pt from typanic, vs. oral or rectal.
the rectal and oral temps corilated much closer than the tympanic temps. If I can I'll get a copy
of the study and send it to you.
Lee Brady
temperature
>which says, if temeprature is too high or not.
Several months ago, I watched a nurse in who was in a tizzy. She was
telling the MD that the new admission with cellulitis had a temp of 107
(I think that's what it was, anyhow, something outrageous). She kept
saying that he didn't act as if it was that high and that they'd checked
it with several tympanic thermometers. Finally, I could stand it no
longer (it wasn't my pt and I wasn't in charge) and I handed her an old
fashioned glass and suggested she try that. It turned out to be something
like 101. Duh! Technology is great, when mixed with a bit of common sense
<g>.
ZackWA
severe cases with ET tubes in place it is also helpful as a screen. Our
nurses and physicians have set standards for the use of the tympanic based
on our experiences and the literature.
In a previous posting here I heard of nurses doing comparison studies with
esphogeal thermometers in surgical patients. That data should be
collected and published so that nurses can learn from our experiences and
document our studies.
Michael Paris
Last night had a patient that was warm and diaphoretic, temp by
tympanic was 97.9, on our new electronic oral/rectal themometer it was
100.7, while I could care less about a difference of 0.5 points F,
this is abit extreme.
Lee
most often cause of inacuracy. We use them on almost every pt in the ER I work
in but I have noticed that every nurse feels a pt befor taking the temp and if
they disagree with it they either get a po temp or a rectal temp. Also the
Dr's are real good about asking for repeat temps in the way they prefer.
----
E-mail lc...@hometown.net
AngelBev
Paris) writes:
>Last night had a patient that was warm and diaphoretic, temp by
>tympanic was 97.9, on our new electronic oral/rectal themometer it was
>100.7, while I could care less about a difference of 0.5 points F,
>this is abit extreme.
>
this is just another exampler of why tympanic thermometers are for
screening only!!....when a fever is supected orr could be a possibility
with the admmitting complaint, then an accurate temp is needed. That means
NOT with a tympanic thermometer.... But for minor trauma, with no reason
to suspect other illnesses, it's agood screening tool.
Bev
Sabine Vinke
>this is just another exampler of why tympanic thermometers are for
>screening only!!....when a fever is supected orr could be a possibility
>with the admmitting complaint, then an accurate temp is needed. That means
>NOT with a tympanic thermometer.... But for minor trauma, with no reason
>to suspect other illnesses, it's agood screening tool.
>Bev
Does anybody has more information why an tympanic thermometer only
should be used for screening the temperatur?
Sabine
John & Theresa Egan
>
> Our Emergency Department Physicians recently insisted we remove the
> tympanic thermometers from the department, due to their adamant belief in
> the innacuracy of the tympanics.
>
> AKAA...@aol.com
inaccuracy of these thermometers. our nursing home used them as does my
doctors office. i can't tell you how many times they have not picked up
fevers, or given a false temperature due to ear inflammations. i shudder
when i see them advertised for the general public. what ever happened to
the good old reliable mercury thermometer?
terry
E. & N. Persson
writes:
>In article <4jc2m8$4...@news.ios.com>, mpa...@village.ios.com (Michael
>Paris) writes:
>
>>Last night had a patient that was warm and diaphoretic, temp by
>>tympanic was 97.9, on our new electronic oral/rectal themometer it
was
>>100.7, while I could care less about a difference of 0.5 points F,
>>this is abit extreme.
>>
>
>screening only!!....when a fever is supected orr could be a
possibility
>with the admmitting complaint, then an accurate temp is needed. That
means
>NOT with a tympanic thermometer.... But for minor trauma, with no
reason
>to suspect other illnesses, it's agood screening tool.
>
>Bev
When using a Tympanic thermometer, one needs to make certain the angle
into the ear canal is accurate. If not, the patient's temp will read
lower that actual. If used correctly, it is very accurate. However,
most work places do not take the time to educated their staff to it's
proper use, and most assume that because of it's simplicity of
operation, that nothing else is required except to show how to put on a
probe cover and push the button.
The ear canal angles slightly up and slightly toward the front of the
face. Most errors come from pointing the probe straight in and/or
downward, thus producing a lower than actual reading. I hope this
helps.
Nan
AngelBev
N. Persson) writes:
>The ear canal angles slightly up and slightly toward the front of the
>face. Most errors come from pointing the probe straight in and/or
>downward, thus producing a lower than actual reading. I hope this
>helps.
>
>
and that's the point!!........there are too many margins for error with a
tympanic thermometer.....When you suspect that the patient might have or
could have a fever because of an admitting complaint (or because they
can't tell you, like in many nursing home patients) then are you going to
be comfortable relying on the tympanic temp ? NOT ME!!! I DO know how to
use them correctly but sometimes I still get wrong readings. I can't
always tell why so when in doubt, I do an oral or rectal temp.
Bev
GlennLRN
>>into the ear canal is accurate. If not, the patient's temp will read
>>lower that actual. If used correctly, it is very accurate. However,
>>most work places do not take the time to educated their staff to it's
>>proper use, and most assume that because of it's simplicity of
>>operation, that nothing else is required except to show how to put on a
>>probe cover and push the button.
>>
>>face. Most errors come from pointing the probe straight in and/or
>>downward, thus producing a lower than actual reading. I hope this
>>helps.
>>
>>
>>
Nan,
It also helps if the sensor to the thermometer is cleaned with alcohol
every few days.
GlennLRN
Tom Bellhouse
>When using a Tympanic thermometer, one needs to make certain the
angle
>The ear canal angles slightly up and slightly toward the front of the
>face. Most errors come from pointing the probe straight in and/or
>downward, thus producing a lower than actual reading. I hope this
>helps.
But don't forget that the angle for a pediatric patient is very
different than that of an adult. It's still probable that a hand on
the forehead is as accurate as the tympanic thermometer, or at least
that what we're really doing with an acute patient is verifying what
our senses have already told us about the patient's condition. Again,
if you are taking the time to do a temp, why not do it by means of a
thermometer system relatively free of extraneous variables.
Tom Bellhouse, R.N.
>
>Nan
Gmgallen
with alcohol prep pads, which actually fogs the lens and doesn't allow
proper light thru.
Other problems, are people can have really cruddy ear canals.
Or it may be something as simple as, one person used it set for core
temp, another may use it set on oral and a third may use set for rectal.
George
Michael Fedak
George,
...or it could be the damn things just don't work very well. As mentioned in
a previous post, If someone has the need to fill in the Temp. bland with
SOMETHING, then a tympanic thermometer works quite well.
If, however, your preference is to obtain useful and reliable data, I don't
believe this is the way to go.
Michael Fedak, RN,BS,MA
Tex
you suppose the institutions allow for its use?
Could it be because it saves time, therefore saves money?
Hospital administrations sure think funny!
TEX
John M. Vogel
: Another problem is personell tend to clean the lens of the thermometer
: with alcohol prep pads, which actually fogs the lens and doesn't allow
: proper light thru.
: Other problems, are people can have really cruddy ear canals.
: George
Also, does the presence of large amounts of ear wax affect it?
John
jvo...@crl.com
ZackWA
has too many variables. Couldn't that be applied to many things we now
use comfortably but had to learn how to use them correctly? What happened
to our concern for the patient's comfort? Pediatrics cases (over the age
of 2 years) are not good candidates for oral glass or electronic temp's
unless we force them down and do a rectal. If there are no other symptoms
can a tympanic screen that data more comfortably if done correctly? Even
then there are nurse who don't use the equipment correctly to get an
accurate reading.
Then there are the many ICU/CCU patients on ventilators, where I used
tympanics a lot, who are major tasks to move (usually without help!) for
any rectal temp. If we use axillary temps as screens, why not corretly
using tympanics?
It is not the machine that errors, it's the operator. If the machine
works accurately in the appropriate cases and with appropriate technique
then we should be supporting education, not putting the machine in the
trash.
Kimberly F Carter
Another problem I have observed is the use of typanic thermometers for
infants. I've seen the thermometer used in the rectum, set to the rectal
indicator. This then gives a 1 degree higher than actual reading. The
Thermoscan company recommends setting to rectal, but using in ear.
However, I wonder if there is any research as to accuracy...their little
ears are soooo small!
--
==========================================================================
Kimberly Ferren Carter PhD(c), RN, CHES kca...@runet.edu
Assistant Professor, Nursing SON phone: 540-831-5415
Box 6964, Radford University, Radford VA 24142
Fax: 540-831-6299 (Radford) 540-981-7302 (Roanoke)
David J. Goodell
suggested. My colleague Roberta Erickson has done mucho research on the
subject; her latest publication is in the most recent issue of Image:
the Journal of Nursing Scholarship. Also a recent one in Gerontological
nsg. on cerumen in the ear canal. -Teresa Goodell
In <4k0432$c...@newsbf02.news.aol.com> gmga...@aol.com (Gmgallen)
writes:
>
>Another problem is personell tend to clean the lens of the thermometer
>with alcohol prep pads, which actually fogs the lens and doesn't allow
>proper light thru.
>
>Other problems, are people can have really cruddy ear canals.
>
Gmgallen
Carter) writes:
>Another problem I have observed is the use of typanic thermometers for
>infants. I've seen the thermometer used in the rectum, set to the rectal
>indicator.
funny you should mention that, one day in icu we had a patient who
felt very very warm, took a tympanic with the intern standing right there
and it said 97.0 (didn't fit the tactile feel). So the intern suggested
turning her on her side to get a rectal temp, not even thinking I
had a tympanic in my hand, I stopped just short of attempting it
stating, "wait a minute! I can't with this thing" only to hear "oh yeah,
guess you find too many arteries in there to scan".
George
GlennLRN
writes:
>Another problem is personell tend to clean the lens of the thermometer
>with alcohol prep pads, which actually fogs the lens and doesn't allow
>proper light thru.
The service rep for the thermometer that we use suggested that we cleanse
the lens of the thermometer with a alcohol-soaked cotton applicator.
After cleaning the lens, wipe it with a dry cotton applicator.
Gmgallen
writes:
>
>>Another problem is personell tend to clean the lens of the thermometer
>>with alcohol prep pads, which actually fogs the lens and doesn't allow
>>proper light thru.
>
>The service rep for the thermometer that we use suggested that we cleanse
>the lens of the thermometer with a alcohol-soaked cotton applicator.
>After cleaning the lens, wipe it with a dry cotton applicator.
>
>
really, the rep I spoke to told me, if the lens was damaged because
of cleaning with alcohol, it would NOT be covered under the service
contract, (ala Abusive treatment).
George