Tympanic Membrane Versus Temporal Artery Temperatures of Adult Perianesthesia Patients

Reaching preoperative temperature stability is a critical discharge criterion afer anesthesia and surgery. Although numerous methods of measuring temperature exist, tympanic membrane (TM) thermometers have replaced oral thermometers in most perianesthesia units. With reliability of tympanic temperature readings being questioned in numerous reports and by many practitioners, the temporal artery (TA) thermometer has gained popularity among perianesthesia nurses for its noninvasive approach and ease of operation. A prospective study was undertaken to determine the ability of the TA thermometer to substitute for the TM thermometer in adult perianesthesia patients.