INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate the methods of first-choice for clinical temperature measurement in Danish hospital wards.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire study involving 444 Danish hospital wards specialised in internal medicine, orthopaedic surgery, abdominal surgery or paediatrics.

RESULTS: 348 hospital wards (78%) responded to the questionnaire. Ear and rectal temperature measurement were the most frequent methods of first-choice in Danish hospital wards (44% and 50%, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in the method of first-choice between specialties and between the regions of Denmark. Regardless of specialty and region both methods were frequently used as first-choice.

CONCLUSION: Our results reflect a lack of consensus on the method of first-choice in daily clinical assessment of temperature in Danish hospital wards.