Study on the Influence of Urine Flow on Accuracy of Urinary Bladder Temperature Monitoring in Critically Ill Patients

Purpose Explore the influence of different urine flow on accuracy of urinary bladder temperature (hereinafter referred as UBT). Method Patients staying at neurosurgery ICU of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from May 2013 to March 2014, who meet the inclusion criteria, were selected. Since the beginning of admission, axillary temperature, UBT and rectal temperature of the patients were monitored continuously for three days. According to the amount of urine volume, the patients were divided into high urine flow group (urine volume ≥ 40ml/h) and low urine flow group (urine volume <; 40ml/h), and the relationship between axillary temperature, UBT and rectal temperature of the two groups were compared. Results At low urine flow rate, UBT was positively correlated to rectal temperature, r=0.72, P <;0.01; while at high urine flow rate, rectal temperature was positively correlated to bladder temperature, r=0.89, P <;0.01. Conclusions UBT monitoring can be used as a continuous monitoring method of the patients´ body temperature, but when the patients´ urine volume decreases, it will affect the accuracy of UBT measurements.