Pediatric temperature measurement and child/parent/nurse preference using three temperature measurement instruments

This study compared the tympanic thermometer with the electronic and chemical dot thermometers used at the axillary site and evaluated child, parent, and nurse preferences for method of temperature measurement. The child's (n = 146) temperature was measured using each of the three methods. Each child, parent, and nurse was asked to select a preference for device and site. Results were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method. Results showed that most of the paired readings fell within the Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA). When the chemical dot and tympanic temperature readings were compared with the electronic axillary reading, the tympanic thermometer was found to be in closer agreement. The chemical dot thermometer placed in the axilla consistently read higher than the electronic thermometer in the same site. Children, parents, and nurses preferred the tympanic thermometer.