N H Jensen1, R Sze-Long Lo2, Kkc Hung2, M Lorentzen1, S Laugesen3, S Posth3, S Hansen3, K Jensen3, J Kellett1, C A Graham2, M Brabrand1. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Hospital of South West Jutland, Esbjerg, Denmark. 2. Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Quick and reliable assessment of acute patients is required for accurate triage. The temperature gradient between core and peripheral temperature could possibly instantly provide information on circulatory status. METHODS: Adult medical patients, who did not receive supplementary oxygen, attending two emergency departments, had a thermographic image taken on arrival. The association between 30-day mortality and gradients was tested using logistic regression. RESULTS: 726 patients were studied, median age was 64 years and 14 (1.9%) died within 30 days. There was a significant association between mortality and temperature gradient, comparable to vital signs, age, and clinical intuition. CONCLUSION: Temperature gradient between nose and eye had an acceptable discriminatory power for 30-day all-cause mortality.
INTRODUCTION: Quick and reliable assessment of acute patients is required for accurate triage. The temperature gradient between core and peripheral temperature could possibly instantly provide information on circulatory status. METHODS: Adult medical patients, who did not receive supplementary oxygen, attending two emergency departments, had a thermographic image taken on arrival. The association between 30-day mortality and gradients was tested using logistic regression. RESULTS: 726 patients were studied, median age was 64 years and 14 (1.9%) died within 30 days. There was a significant association between mortality and temperature gradient, comparable to vital signs, age, and clinical intuition. CONCLUSION: Temperature gradient between nose and eye had an acceptable discriminatory power for 30-day all-cause mortality.