Comparison of measurement of body temperature fromaxillary temporal artery and tympanic membrane in neutropenic patients

Research was quasi -experimental in order to compare of measurement of body temperature from axillary temporal artery and tympanic membrane in neutropenic patients. Research was carried out with adult patients who receiving inpatient treatment in Izmir Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital Chest Services (2, 3, 4 and 5th chest services) between August 2017- May 2018. The sampling of research consisted of volunteer adult patients (18 years old or above) who were receiving therapy as in-patient with a diagnosis of neutropenia (n=60- 300 measurement). In research data were collected by using Tympanic Membrane Thermometer, Temporal Artery Thermometer, Electronic Axillary Thermometer and Patient Information Form. 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. Introductory information about the patients after recording on the Patient Information Form, body temperature measurements from axillary, temporal and tympanic were recorded on the Patient Information Form. Measurements were initiated by the placement of the axillary thermometer in the axillary and measurements were taken from the tympanic and temporal respectively while the electronic axillary waited for the thermometer to signal for the measurement result. The time between measurements is planned not to exceed 10 seconds. IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) was used in the analysis of data. In statistical analyses of data, the frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation were calculated. In addition, graphics related to data were drawn through Bland Altman method. Results were assessed at 95 % confidence interval and at p<0.0001 significance level. In order for the research can be performed, Ethical Board of Ege University Faculty of Medicine Clinical Research Ethics Committee and İzmir Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research 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 50 and 77 years (X̄=61.96±7.18); 45% were in 60-69 years age group and 91.7% were males. When the scatter plots of the measurements were examined, it was determined that the measurements made with the electronic axillary thermometer and the infrared temporal artery thermometer were lower than with the tympanic membrane thermometer. It has been determined that each thermometer is compatible with itself in all measurements made. When the Bland-Altman graph of whole body temperature measurements with electronic axillary thermometer and tympanic membrane thermometer was examined, the mean difference between the measurements was 1.2730 ° C and there was a significant difference between them (p <0.0001). When the Bland-Altman graph of whole body temperature measurements with infrared temporal artery thermometer and tympanic membrane thermometer was examined, the mean difference between the measurements was 0.4153 ° C and there was a significant difference between them (p <0.0001). When the Bland-Altman graph of whole body temperature measurements with electronic axillary thermometer and tympanic membrane thermometer (X̄=1.27±0.54) and the Bland-Altman graph of whole body temperature measurements with infrared temporal artery thermometer and tympanic membrane thermometer (X̄=0.41±0.43) were examined, the body temperature measurements with the temporal artery thermometer were found to be closer to the body temperature measurements with the tympanic membrane thermometer. Key Words: neutropenia; body temperature; electronic axillary thermometer; temporal artery thermometer; tympanic membrane thermometer.