Reuters health infrared thermometers that take a persons temperature with a sweep of the forehead may not be as accurate as old fashioned measures a study suggests. Contact forehead thermometers that require you to press a probe tip to the forehead or temple are typically more accurate than noncontact models.
Accuracy Of Strip Like Forehead Thermometers Cebm
Is a forehead thermometer accurate. The accuracy of the reading depends on the environment in which they are used and the distance from the forehead. Temporal artery thermometers often sold as forehead thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead. Temporal artery thermometers can record a persons temperature quickly and are easily tolerated. It is important to remember. For this reason a high percentage of parents use it but research shows that forehead thermometers can be an inaccurate measurement of the core body temperature. The issue here of course is ease of use and discomfort for baby.
Theyre also an ideal option for taking your own temperature. For newborn infants younger than 3 months rectal digital thermometers have been acclaimed as the most accurate. Keep in mind that earwax or a small curved ear canal can interfere with the accuracy of an ear thermometer temperature. The forehead thermometers are fairly accurate if it is used correctly but will not give you an exact temp measurement. Contact models usually provide faster readings too. Hfr researched 3 reasons why these devices are inaccurate.
A forehead temporal scanner is usually 05f 03c to 1f 06c lower than an oral temperature. Rectal temperatures are generally thought to be the most accurate for checking a young childs temperature. They are usually accurate to around 1 or 2 degrees c which is a big difference when you are assessing the presence of a fever. This type of thermometer can be used even while a child is asleep. If a person has just been working out and is hot and sweaty it is not accurate. Forehead thermometers are a non invasive system that uses infrared technology providing the easiest and quickest measurements.
New studies however indicate that the forehead thermometer can be reliably used with newborns. These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.
Gallery of Is A Forehead Thermometer Accurate
