Comparison of temporal artery temperature and bladder temperature in the postanesthesia care unit

• Published in: Proceedings - Baylor University. Medical Center Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 502 - 504
• Main Authors: Bradley, Stephanie L., Kwater, Andrzej P., Cooke, Jessica M., Pivalizza, Catherine M., Zhang, Xu, Sridhar, Srikanth, Gumbert, Sam D., Pivalizza, Evan G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 02.10.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Bladder; Bladder temperature; Intensive care; Original Research; postanesthesia care unit; Primary care; Studies; Temperature; temporal artery temperature; Bladder temperature; postanesthesia care unit; temporal artery temperature
• ISSN: 0899-8280; 1525-3252
• DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2019.1624097

To verify that temporal artery (TA) temperature measured in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in noncardiac surgical patients is a valid reflection of core temperature, a prospective, observational, institutional review board-approved study was conducted in a large, academic tertiary care hospital. The study developed from an initial quality improvement project. A total of 276 patients who had an indwelling bladder catheter as standard of care were enrolled when a research student was available over a 6-month period in 2015. Infrared TA temperature was measured (average of three readings) simultaneously with bladder temperature on PACU arrival. Mean temperature in the bladder and TA groups was >36°C with a clinically negligible difference (0.125°C; 90% confidence interval, 0.059-0.192). Agreement between bladder and TA temperatures, as well as between bladder and last operating room temperatures, was >95% by Bland-Altman analysis. A properly performed TA temperature measure on PACU arrival is an acceptable representation of core temperature for purposes of quality assessment, patient comfort, and regulatory requirements.