Is There Significant Difference between Digital and Glass Mercury Thermometer?

Abstract

Background. Children’s decisions concerning investigation and treatment may be based on the results of temperature alone. Although the accuracy of axillary temperature measurement is affected by a number of factors, device dwell time and device type are common. Objective. Compare body temperature between glass mercury thermometer (GMT) and digital thermometer (DT). Method. Comparative descriptive study was used. A total of 101 samples were taken with convenient sampling technique, but 98 were analyzed. Statistical significance (p<0.01) and clinical significance (MD≥0.2°C) were used in the analyses. Correlations and Bland-Altman plots were used to observe agreements of the recording. Results. Mean difference (MD) of 10 min GMT and DT was 0.13±0.11. Statistically significant differences were noted in 10 min GMT and DT (p<0.00). But the correlations were strong positive (r>0.75) and all MD were at the limit of agreement in Bland-Altman plot. Clinically, it is not significant (MD<0.2°C). Conclusion and Recommendations. Even though statistical significant differences (p<0.001) were noted between 10 min GMT and DT, the strong correlation, good agreements, and clinical insignificances make DT good alternative to the traditional GMT. Their variation in temperature is not likely to change any clinical decision. So, health professionals should use DT for measuring body temperature in under-5 febrile illnesses.