Study Reveals Comparable Accuracy in Pediatric Emergency Settings
WATERTOWN, MA, November 27, 2012 – A recent study published by the Journal of Emergency Nursing (1) found that the accuracy of temporal artery thermometers (TAT) is comparable to that of rectal thermometers in children under four years old. The study was conducted in the pediatric emergency department (ED) of a Pacific Northwest hospital and concluded: “If properly used by the ED staff, temporal artery thermometers could be used to obtain temperature in pediatric patients younger than 4 years, thus avoiding physical and psychological discomfort for the child and parent associated with obtaining rectal thermometers.”
The purpose of the study was to determine whether there is a method for measuring temperature that is equally as accurate as rectal, yet significantly less invasive. The study tested both temporal artery and axillary thermometers and deduced that unlike the axillary thermometer, noninvasive temporal artery thermometers are an appropriate substitute for invasive temperature measurements. A total of 52 children younger than four years of age were studied over the course of a 10-month period. Temperatures were taken using all three methods in random order, in the triage area during the initial part of the patients’ hospital visit. The Exergen TemporalScanner was the temporal thermometer used in this study.
“The results of this new independent clinical study confirm the replacement of uncomfortable and invasive rectal thermometers, with gentle non-invasive temporal artery thermometers, whose accuracy and efficacy is backed by 50 medical studies, more than all other thermometers available on the market.” said Dr. Francesco Pompei, CEO of Exergen Corporation, maker of the Exergen TemporalScanner. “The use of temporal thermometers in the pediatric ED provides patients and families peace of mind knowing children will not endure uncomfortable physical and psychological experiences associated with rectal methods.”
Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for doctors’ offices and hospitals, and a consumer model sold in major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, Costco, Sam’s Club, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kroger, and BJ’s. More than one billion temperatures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner. It is used in thousands of hospitals, clinics, and pediatricians’ offices in the country, as well as in millions of homes. For the third year in a row it is the #1 selling retail thermometer and #1 preference of pediatricians in the US. The Exergen TemporalScanner’s performance is supported by 50 peer-reviewed published studies covering all ages from preterm infants to geriatrics and all care areas from hospitals to homes. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.
(1) Reynolds M, et al. Are temporal artery temperatures accurate enough to replace rectal temperature measurement in pediatric ED patients? J Emerg Nurs. 2012 Nov 8. pii: S0099-1767(12)00329-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2012.07.007. [Epub ahead of print]. Exergen provided no financial or other support for the study.
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