Rectal temperature needs to be standard - and ONLY - method

Https://www.statnews.com/2015/11/17/rectal-thermometers/

Why does it take 24 pages of study to figure this out? I sure hope we get back to the day where taking rectal temperature is the standard procedure -- no other way is even considered.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

My temperature was taken my ear twice before I went to a family doctor. I knew that the nurse was do it so I just bent down to her a little as she just took my temperature in my ear. Today, rectal temperatures are for babies for core readings.

Researchers tend to believe that being a degree or two off in either direction has no significance in evaluating a patient for any kind of infection. They are the experts.

I must admit I take my girlfriend's rectal temperature and she takes mine, not so much for the accuracy, but for the fun of it.

I can't say I ever hated getting my temp taken rectally. Disliked, found it embarrassing, sometimes just really "inconvenient" but never hated it. All my life I've heard and read and now learned and have professed to me that it is the most accurate. I am in favor of standardizing the rectal method as "the norm" as I understand it pretty much was years ago, and was/is for me.

Researchers tend to believe that being a degree or two off in either direction has no significance in evaluating a patient for any kind of infection. They are the experts.

Bingo. It doesn't really matter unless you are getting close to the danger range.

I totally agree with the article

I find it pathetic that they say the ear thermometer is least accurate, yet that is used in ICUs.

I've never had mine taken other than orally in hospitals. They don't seem to use the other kinds here in my area. Thankfully, as I've always been suspicious of them. I'm sure I've had it taken rectally, at least at home when I was very young, but have no memories of it.

Don't get me wrong I love giving a nice rectal temp. Have used it as an icebreaker more than once but with new technology all thermometers will soon be a thing of the past. I already have a laser type thermometer, just point at something up to 10 feet away and pull the trigger. Accurate and quick. Good with solution temps. They will never go back to rectal, probably not even for infants. In 10 years thermometers with be classed as antiques

I already have a laser type thermometer, just point at something up to 10 feet away and pull the trigger.

We have two Fluke laser/IR thermometers in the house. I use one for cooking and my husband uses one for taking temperature of walls, ceiling, floors and HVAC duct register air temps. We have two because he is not allowed to use mine. 😁 I'll be damned if I'm going to the tool room in the basement when I'm cooking!

Sometimes I aim the laser down my throat to see what my pharyngeal temperature is. It's less than oral.

I agree

@NotForMee I think the answer to your question is that if we can have a productive idea that works very well, for some reason we (as human beings) just CAN'T WAIT to screw it up!! I agree with you entirely!!

Not sure if I would allow a doctor to take my temperature rectally. I enjoy it at home in privacy but not in a doctor office

Https://www.statnews.com/2015/11/17/rectal-thermometers/

Why does it take 24 pages of study to figure this out? I sure hope we get back to the day where taking rectal temperature is the standard procedure -- no other way is even considered.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Let's get real here.

You don't need rectal temps to tell if a person is sick or healthy and I'm certain you know that. You just have a fetish.

Yes, a rectal temp is very good and gives an accurate assessment of the core temperature, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.

Oral, temporal and ear scan temps do just fine for 99% of the patients.

Rectal temps as the norm for temperature management or assessment is NOT coming back. Get over it.

While I love anything anal, including rectal temps, I wouldnt want my fetish foisted upon others. Oral, ear or even an armpit temp is accurate enough to determine if someone is sick with a fever. And given that probably 98% of the public don’t like and would be very embarrassed by a rectal temp, why make an already sick person more uncomfortable than they already are? Especially children!

And what if the patient says NO?

And what if the patient says NO?

Then in the US at least, under almost all situations, they don't do it. You have the right to control your own body (slight simplification, but it gets the point across).

I'm a guy, so here's the expected "guy car analogy":

Temperature is usually like a dipstick. For the most part you don't need to know down to the fluid ounce, "where it should be" "little off" "lotta off" are just fine and can be done in a way that is easier on the provider and patient.

Someone stated that the "experts" believe that rectal temps. are the "only way to evaluate body temperature." I used to believe that nobody ever had to worry about anything in life, because we have so many "experts," with college degrees of course, to tell us how to run our lives, (because I suppose it's assumed that the rest of us, are so hopeless and ignorant). There have been studies done on every subject, but in reality, there are no "true" experts. The term for me, is a form of pompous arrogance, at best. So, with regard to rectal temp. taking, it has been "discovered," that they represent an "accurate" measurement of "core" temperature. Is accuracy so important, in reality ? With possibly few exceptions, i.e., an unconscious patient, young child, etc., the medical community doesn't use them. For home use, I see nothing wrong with it, if that's a personal preference.

I have worked in the hospitals and doctor's offices. It is absolutely how amazing most patients do what they are told. Stand up. roll over, bend over for me, take this pill, I have a suppository for you, I need to give you an enema, I need to give you an injection , I need to take your temperature, do not eat anything you have surgery in the morning, do not flush the toilet, pee into this container and so on.

The few that question you as to why? or what for? are compliant once you tell them this is the Dr.'s orders.

So if I need to take your rectal temperature then please roll over and we will be done in a few minutes.

The reference "Https://www.statnews.com/2015/11/17/rectal-thermometers/. doesn't support using rectal temps as the 'stgandard'

It includes the following: "That finding (the 24 page study) confirms that these types of thermometers (rectal) are more accurate than so-called peripheral thermometers.... But does a degree or two one way or the other really matter? More importantly, does it matter enough to warrant sticking a thermometer where the sun don’t shine? Lead researcher Dr. Daniel Niven of the University of Calgary said the one- to two-degree difference is not a problem for most people."

If you use a reference to support a conclusion - be sure to read it and make sure that the reference actually supports that conclusion!!!!!

Rectal temp needs to become standard procedure? Not cool, especially with today's technology. There are medical reasons to take a rectal temperature, but let's not make this intimate invasion the rule. As an adult, I've had my temperature taken rectally by an urgent care nurse when I had a migraine and was throwing up. She took it so quickly that I hardly felt it. At home, if I'm running a fever and feeling very sick (which is rare), that's what rectal thermometers are for. No big deal.

The few that question you as to why? or what for? are compliant once you tell them this is the Dr.'s orders.

If I know you/trust you and/or have a good idea what is up and why I probably will be compliant. I know that nurses' jobs are hard and they generally are well meaning. If I ask "why" then I want to know why, not be told "because someone said so." You can give me your best guess if you don't know, but definitely don't B.S. me - the B.S. can stay on your nametag, thank you very much.