In adult patients the effect that auricle's position has on the body's temperature measurement values during measurements performed through tympanic membrane thermometer

Research was carried out in adult patients comparatively, descriptively to scrutinize the effect that auricle position has on the body's temperature measurement values and on the level of comfort during measurements performed through tympanic membrane thermometer. Research was carried out with adult out-patients or in-patients who referred to Emergency Department of Ege University Medical Faculty between November and December 2015. The sampling of research consisted of volunteer adult patients (18 years old or above) who were receiving therapy as in-patient or out-patient basis and were conscious, lacking communication problem, otitis media or fever (n=147). This unit was selected due to extreme number of daily referrals made to Emergency Department of Ege University Medical Faculty. In research data were collected by using Data Collection Form, Visual Comparison Scale, Tympanic Membrane Thermometer and Chronometer. During data collection, after patients that met inclusion criteria were identified, they were given information related to research and those that were volunteered to participate have provided informed consent. After the introductory data related to patients have recorded on Data Collection Form, to which groups they will be included in were determined through simple randomization (drawing lots). In group A, patients' body temperature was first measured by changing the position of auricle. During measurement (due to reasons such as friction, reduced temperature in plastic protector) 30-second breaks were given between two measurements since thermometer was thought to cause temperature change in ear canal. Later measurement process was performed without changing patient's auricle position. In group B, patients' body temperature measurement was first performed without changing the auricle position and later measurement was performed by changing the auricle position. The length of each body temperature measurement process was determined through chronometer; process's level of comfort was evaluated by using Visual Comparison Scale. Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) program version 16.0 was used in the analysis of data. In statistical analyses of data, the frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation were calculated and to investigate their effects on the auricle position measurement values, the significance between two pairs test was used. In addition, graphics related to data were drawn through Bland Altman method. Results were assessed at 95 % confidence interval and at p<0.05 significance level. In order for the research can be performed, Ethical Board of Ege University Nursing Faculty's and Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital's written approvals were obtained and each patient included in the scope of research has provided written informed consent. At the end of research it was identified that ages of the patients included in the scope of research were varied between 18 and 85 years ( = 38.93±15.28); 38.4 % were in 18-29 years age group and 55.8 % were females. When the measurement value averages according to groups were viewed; in group A, the average in measurements performed by providing auricle position was 36.93 0C; in those performed by without providing auricle position was 36.69 0C; whereas in group B, the average in measurements performed by providing auricle position was 36.990C; in those performed by without providing auricle position was 36.620C. When the averages according to positions were examined it was identified that the average in measurements performed by providing auricle position was 36.96 0C; in those performed by without providing auricle position was 36.660C. The difference between measurement values performed at two distinct positions was 0.300C; when the Bland Altman graphic was studied it was observed that the differences on the graphic belonging to each position did not disperse systematically around the zero; however, they demonstrated systematic dispersion around the value of 0.3. When the process duration in measurements was examined it was established that the mean length of time in measurements performed by providing auricle position was 5.51 seconds; in those performed by without providing auricle position was 34.42 seconds; the difference in the length of times between measurement processes performed in two positions was 1.08 second. It was identified that 59.2 % of the body temperature measurements carried out by providing auricle position did not feel any discomfort ( =1.13±1.84). Key Words: auricle, body temperature, tympanic membrane thermometer