What alternatives to rectal temperature recording with a mercury thermometer?
Pazart L; Devilliers E; Bout C; Aho S; Rupin C; Gouyon JB Direction des activités médicales, Hôpital du Bocage, Dijon. Fever is a major symptom to characterize individual health status. Measurement of temperature is systematically made in everyday medical practice. In France, this measurement is generally assumed with a rectal glass mercury thermometer. In order to protect people and the environment, the “Conseil Suprieur d’Hygine Publique de France” has approved recommendations to withdrawn medical use of mercury, specifically for thermometer. Rectal measurement is also debated since infectious risks are described. Thus, substitution of rectal glass mercury thermometer is on the agenda. New sites and techniques for measurement of temperature have been studied through a literature review, interview of experts and companies, and clinical research protocols. Cutaneous and axillary measurements are inaccurate and unsatisfactory. Two methods seems to be worth: oral measurement and tympanic
