Accuracy of non-contact thermometry

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A study to determine the accuracy of a non-contact thermometer in the perioperative setting

• IRAS ID

  214661

• Contact name

  C Mark Harper

• Sponsor organisation

  Brighton and Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  When a patient is anaesthetised for an operation, their body temperature falls. Managing body temperature properly by keeping it within normal limits has been shown to improve recovery from surgery.

  A vital part of managing temperature is accurate measurement. Several methods exist both invasive and non-invasive. During an operation, temperature changes as small as 0.5 °C can affect outcomes but, currently, only invasive methods are reliable enough to detect this. Oesophageal probes cannot be used in patients who are awake during their operations, and it is inappropriate to insert a urinary bladder probe should a catheter not otherwise be needed.

  This study will compare a non-invasive method of measuring a patient’s temperature utilising infra-red technology with the gold standard invasive method. This type of technique is used extensively in the outpatient setting and routinely on the ward but is not used during major surgery. Whilst a non-invasive method has clear advantages is has never been tested on surgical patients.

  We will determine whether readings from this thermometer are accurate enough to be used in patients before, during and after surgery. Should it prove to be sufficiently accurate it will allow us to improve patient care through both clinical practice and research.

  During operations, temperature is routinely measured according to NICE guidelines with thermometers placed in the nose or oesophagus. We will compare the device’s accuracy against these methods.

  We will record measurements from each device every five minutes throughout the operation in 35 patients. We will then perform statistical tests to check its accuracy.
  
  References:
  1. NICE. Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia: The Management of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia in Adults. NICE Clinical Guideline 65 2nd Edition, 2011.

• REC name

  London - City & East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/LO/0187

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Feb 2017

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion