Accuracy of zero-flux and ingestible thermometry
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to determine the accuracy of zero-flux and ingestible thermometers in the perioperative setting
IRAS ID
150071
Contact name
C Mark Harper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brighton Health Care NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
14/EE/1016, NRES COMMITTEE EAST OF ENGLAND - NORFOLK
Research summary
When a patient is anaesthetised for an operation, their body temperature falls. Managing body temperature properly by keeping it within normal limits has been shown to improve recovery from surgery.
A vital part of managing temperature is accurate measurement. Several methods exist, which consist of invasive and non invasive methods. During an operation, temperature changes as small as 0.5 °C can affect outcomes but, currently, only invasive methods are reliable enough to detect this. Oesophageal probes can’t be used in patients who are awake during their operations, and it is inappropriate to insert a urinary catheter should it not be otherwise needed.
This study will compare two new methods of measuring a patient’s temperature which would help us in these situations. The first is called zero-flux thermometry and involves placing an adhesive pad to the forehead, which gives constant measurement of a patient’s core temperature. The second involves swallowing an ingestible capsule that is no bigger than a normal pill. This technique has been very useful in research tracking a patient’s core temperature as they are transferred through different areas over a longer period of time. Whilst these two methods are potentially very useful, they have never been tested on hospital patients.
We will determine whether readings from these thermometers are accurate enough to be used in patients before, during and after surgery. Should they prove to be sufficiently accurate it will allow us to improve patient care through both clinical practice and research.
During operations, temperature is routinely measured according to NICE guidelines with thermometers placed in the nose or oesophagus. We will be comparing the two new devices accuracy against these methods.
We will record measurements from each device every minute throughout the operation in 20 patients. We will then perform statistical tests to check their accuracy.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1016
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion