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Background and Design. The list of disadvantages of the mercuryglassthermometer /MGT) is enlarging. TempaDOT (PyMaH), a novel singleuse plastic thermometer constitutes a considerable alternative. In order to compare MGT and TempaDOT (TD) we studied the shortest time required for accurate measurement with MGT, the consequences of delayed removal of TD, the parallelism between the two gauges and their costs. The data were obtained by body temperature measurements and observations made in the Infectious Disease Clinic for adults in the Hospital of Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty.
Results. We found the shortest time required for correct oral and axillary temperature measurements with MGT to be 7 and 10 minutes, respectively. Waiting for 5 minutes yielded near by readings for both oral and axillary measurements. TD and MGT gave similar results when they were read 1 and 5 minutes, respectively after sublingual placement. TD gave only 0.08 oC higher readings when TD and MGT were read 3 and 5 minutes, respectively after axillary placement. According to manufacturer's instructions TD must be kept in mouth for 1, and in axilla for 3 minutes. We found that 2 minutes delay in removal of TD causes 0.58 oC and 0.3 oC higher sublingual and axillary readings, respectively. The perpatient cost of MGT was estimated between 86.500 TL and 288.000 TL depending on the brand purchased. The perpatient cost would have been 167.000 TL, if TD were used.
Conclusion. Our results show that waiting for 7 and 10 minutes, respectively are ideal for oral and axillary temperature measurements with MGT but 5 minutes may suffice to fulfill practical purposes. TD and MGT give similar results if recommend durations are kept to. A delay of 2 minutes in the removal of TD resulted in significantly and erroneously high readings. TD and MGT have similar perpatient costs.