Current:Home > NewsForehead thermometer readings may not be as accurate for Black patients, study finds-LoTradeCoin
Forehead thermometer readings may not be as accurate for Black patients, study finds
View Date:2024-12-23 16:30:33
Forehead thermometers may not be as accurate in reading temperatures for Black hospitalized patients, compared to oral thermometers, according to researchers at Emory University and the University of Hawaii.
The chances of a forehead thermometer detecting fevers in Black patients were 26% lower than oral thermometers. Though the differences were small, the researchers noted that fevers could slip under the radar if the number is below commonly used thresholds.
"If fevers are going undetected, then alerts are not being activated," said Dr. Sivasubramanium Bhavani, lead author on the study and an assistant professor at Emory. "The differences in detection of fevers could lead to delays in antibiotics and medical care for Black patients."
The lag could even lead to an increased death rate in Black patients, according to the study.
In a sample size of 2,031 Black patients and 2,344 white patients, the oral and forehead temperatures were taken within an hour of each other on the patient's first day in the hospital. Temperatures did not vary significantly for white patients.
Why is this happening? There could be two reasons.
Forehead, or temporal, thermometers measure temperatures through infrared radiation. Skin pigmentation could affect its ability to emit light, radiation or heat, the study said, a concept known as skin emissivity. Though, a separate study published by the National Institutes of Health did not find significant variance in skin emissivity between skin tones.
Or, the varying temporal thermometer readings found in the study could be due to not scanning the forehead properly, researchers said.
veryGood! (46565)
Related
- Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
- Travis Kelce Cheekily Reveals How He's Changed Over the Past Year
- How Controversy Has Made Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Stronger Than Ever
- Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris to win Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and extend F1 lead
- South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
- As PGA Championship nears enthralling finish, low scores are running rampant at Valhalla
- John Krasinski’s ‘IF’ hits a box office nerve with $35 million debut
- Georgia freshman wide receiver arrested for reckless driving
- Halle Berry Rocks Sheer Dress She Wore to 2002 Oscars 22 Years Later
- How compassion, not just free tuition, helped one Ohio student achieve his college dreams
Ranking
- Rafael dissolves into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane
- Why tech billionaires are trying to create a new California city
- The Torture and Killing of a Wolf, a New Endangered Species Lawsuit and Novel Science Revive Wyoming Debate Over the Predator
- Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
- Angels sign Travis d'Arnaud: Former All-Star catcher gets multiyear contract in LA
- Cassie's Lawyer Responds After Sean Diddy Combs' Breaks Silence on 2016 Assault Video
- Disturbing video appears to show Sean Diddy Combs assaulting singer Cassie Ventura
- Kevin Costner gets epic standing ovation for 'Horizon: An American Saga,' moved to tears
Recommendation
-
Brittany Cartwright Defends Hooking Up With Jax Taylor's Friend Amid Their Divorce
-
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro-Trump Jan. 6 rally, for seat on the RNC
-
Sean Diddy Combs Breaks Silence About Video Appearing to Show Him Assault Cassie
-
3 Spanish tourists killed, multiple people injured during attack in Afghanistan
-
After years of unrest, Commanders have reinvented their culture and shattered expectations
-
San Diego deputy who pleaded guilty to manslaughter now faces federal charges
-
Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Wife and Daughter Speak Out Amid Harrison Butker Controversy
-
Alice Stewart, CNN political commentator, dies at 58