Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults – A comparison study

BACKGROUND: As a result of the recent international vigilance regarding disease assessment, accurate measurement of body temperature has become increasingly important. Yet, trusted low-tech, portable mercury glass thermometers are no longer available. Thus, comparing accuracy of mercury-free thermometers with mercury devices is essential. Study purposes were 1) to examine age, race, site as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults, and 2) to compare clinical accuracy of low-tech Galinstan-in-glass device to mercury-in-glass at oral, axillary, groin, and rectal sites in adults. METHODS: Setting 176 bed accredited healthcare facility, rural northwest US Participants Convenience sample (N = 120) of hospitalized persons ≥ 18 years old. Instruments Temperatures (°F) measured at oral, skin (simultaneous), immediately followed by rectal sites with four each mercury-glass (BD) and Galinstan-glass (Geratherm) thermometers; 10 minute dwell times. RESULTS: Participants averaged 61.6 years (SD 17.9), 188 pounds (SD 55.3); 61% female; race: 85% White, 8.3% Native Am., 4.2% Hispanic, 1.7 % Asian, 0.8% Black. For both mercury and Galinstan-glass thermometers, within-subject temperature readings were highest rectally; followed by oral, then skin sites. Galinstan assessments demonstrated rectal sites 0.91°F > oral and ≅ 1.3°F > skin sites. Devices strongly correlated between and across sites. Site difference scores between devices showed greatest variability at skin sites; least at rectal site. 95% confidence intervals of difference scores by site (°F): oral (0.142 – 0.265), axilla (0.167 – 0.339), groin (0.037 – 0.321), and rectal (-0.111 – 0.111). Race correlated with age, temperature readings each site and device. CONCLUSION: Temperature readings varied by age, race. Mercury readings correlated with Galinstan thermometer readings at all sites. Site mean differences between devices were considered clinically insignificant. Still considered the gold standard, mercury-glass thermometers may no longer be available worldwide. Therefore, mercury-free, environmentally safe low-tech Galinstan-in-glass may be an appropriate replacement. This is especially important as we face new, internationally transmitted diseases

Avaliação dos serviços hospitalares de emergência do estado do Rio de Janeiro Evaluation of emergency hospital services in the state of Rio de Janeiro

O presente estudo avalia as Unidades Hospitalares de Urgência/Emergência e registrou a relação da emergência com usuários, outros serviços do hospital e com a rede assistencial. Abordou a relação entre trabalhadores, a dimensão do seu quadro, formação e vencimentos. Relacionou a infra-estrutura cobrindo aspectos essenciais da organização, onde a assistência foi um dos componentes desse objeto mais amplo. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com aplicação de questionário para os chefes de serviços, em uma amostra de 30 hospitais. Os depoimentos indicam que a ineficiência da atenção básica e da rede induzem à superlotação (que atingiu 80% dos hospitais), o que deteriora as condições de trabalho e assistência. O déficit de recursos humanos encontrado foi maior que o tecnológico. A precariedade dos vínculos empregatícios foi apontada como fator que dificulta a fixação e qualificação do profissional. Os itens melhor avaliados foram: relacionamento com chefia, confiança e expectativa com o serviço. Os piores foram salários, tamanho de equipe e medicina do trabalho. O investimento em recursos humanos é imprescindível. Há necessidade das políticas públicas articularem intervenções mais efetivas já que as vigentes definem a configuração dos territórios sanitários com suas redes hierarquizadas e solidárias.<br>This study aimed at the evaluation of urgency/emergency hospital units and recorded the relations of emergency units with users, other hospital services and the healthcare network and approached the size of the teams, the relations among the professionals, their qualification and income. It further describes the infrastructure of these services including basic organizational aspects. The aspect care was one component in this broader object. It is a descriptive study applying a questionnaire to the heads of the emergency services of a sample of 30 hospitals.The statements suggest the overcrowding of emergency services (in 80% of hospitals) deteriorating the work and care conditions to be due to the inefficiency of primary care and the healthcare network. The deficit of human resources was found larger than the lack of technology. The precarious employment relations were considered a factor hampering the qualification and retention of professionals. The most favorably evaluated items were: relationship with service heads, trust and expectations with regard to the service. The worst items were: wages, team size and labor medicine. The nvestment in human resources is indispensable. There is a need for public policies that articulate more efficient interventions given that those in force are defining the configuration of territories with their hierarchized and solidary networks