Wrist and Forehead Temperature Measurement as Screening Methods During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal Title: The Journal of Medicine, Law & Public Health (JMLPH) - Year 2021, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Temperature screening checkpoints have become widely distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic, using various contactless methods of temperature measurement, including wrist and forehead measurement. Aim: In this study we aim to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of these two temperature measurement methods – wrist and forehead – compared with the standards of sublingual or axillary measurement. We also aim to investigate the influence of age, gender, device brand and diurnal effect on the temperature reading. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, each group using a different temperature measurement device. All participants had their forehead and wrist temperature measured, and this was compared to their axillary or sublingual readings. Results: The area under the curve for wrist measurement was 0.49 (95% CI 0.34 and 0.64), p>0.05, with a sensitivity of 46.2% and specificity of 53.3%, while the area under the curve for forehead measurement was 0.70 (95% CI 0.51, 0.89), p<0.05, with a sensitivity of 23.1% and specificity of 76.9%, PPV 1.59% and NPV 97.7%. Conclusion: Wrist and forehead temperature measurement is not accurate in detecting fever during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although forehead measurement is also not an ideal method, it nevertheless appears more consistent than wrist measurement.
Authors and Affiliations
Imtinan Malawi, Thamer Alsohabani, Mashael Aleidan, Nawa Al shahrani , Adel Karairi, Bandr Mzahim, Sharafaldeen Bin Nafisah
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP732199
- DOI https://doi.org/10.52609/jmlph.v1i2.12
- Views 60
- Downloads 0
Snake Bites in The Arabian Peninsula: A Scoping Review
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of snake bites in the Arabian Peninsula. METHODS A scoping review was conducted from October to December 2022, and included sources from PubMed...
Patient Satisfaction with the Emergency Department Experience in the Era of COVID-19: A National Survey
Background Patient satisfaction with an ED visit is often overlooked during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and requires further examination. Aim We aim to investigate, on a national scale, patients’ satisfaction during t...
Enhancing Dispatch Systems for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Proposal for Improved Survival Outcomes
Early and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical for survival and neurological recovery in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This commentary proposes a novel approach involving the use of...
Knowledge and Attitude of Mothers Towards Childhood Vaccination in Taif, Saudi Arabia
Background: Misconceptions and inadequate knowledge about vaccination represent an important barrier against adherence to vaccination schedules. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers of children...
Prevalence of Positive Blood Cultures in the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study
Background: Blood cultures (BCs) are frequently ordered during the course of investigation in emergency departments (EDs). However, there are few studies examining the clinical value of BCs and the prevalence of positive...