Authors' objectives: To assess the safety, efficacy/effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Infrared thermometer for fever detection in a hospital or primary care setting.

Authors' recommendations: - Infrared tympanic thermometer in children One systematic review and four diagnostic accuracy studies showed that infrared tympanic thermometer temperature measurement better reflect the core body temperature than axillary thermometer. It also showed that the Infrared tympanic thermometer sensitivity and specificity was moderate. However, the sensitivity and specificity increased with higher cut of point of temperature defined as fever. - Infrared tympanic thermometer in adult With respect to its use in adult population, there was fair level of evidence from four diagnostic accuracy studies that showed that infrared tympanic thermometer was less accurate to reflect core body temperature than pulmonary artery catheter or mercury in glass oral thermometer. - Non- contact infrared thermometer Four studies were retrieved on the effectiveness of non-contact infrared thermometer in children. The evidence found was inconclusive whereby two studies reported good correlation of non-contact infrared thermometer with rectal/ mercury in glass axilla thermometer but the other two studies did not show good correlation. - Cost-effectiveness/Cost The evidence showed that the infrared tympanic thermometer with lowest purchase price has higher overall cost compared to the highest purchase price, This was because of the increased cost of consumables (nearly double the price in the cheaper infrared tympanic thermometer) that contributed to the total cost. In contrast, the cost of covers of the expensive infrared tympanic thermometer was found to be cheaper. - Safety There was no retrievable evidence reporting any adverse events related to the use of the infrared thermometer.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: http://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/192

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Malaysia

Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229

Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment (MaHTAS)