EFFECTIVENESS OF DRY HEAT APPLICATION IN REDUCING PAIN AND ENHANCING PERIPHERAL VEIN ACCESS: A CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Intravenous (IV) therapy is a common procedure in hospitals, with over 80% of patients receiving it during their stay. Although peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) is usually common procedure, it can be difficult and may require multiple attempts, causing discomfort and anxiety. Successful cannulation depends on how visible and palpable the vein is. Applying dry heat is one of the useful techniques that can improve vein visibility and increase the success rate of IV insertion. This investigation has the potential to reduce patient discomfort, minimize complications, and improve the efficiency of peripheral intravenous cannulation, thereby contributing to enhanced clinical practice and patient care. Methods: This experimental study utilized a non-randomized control group design with purposive sampling. A total of 60 patients admitted to a selected hospital in Chamarajanagar were included in the study, with 30 patients in each group (experimental and control). The Vein Assessment Scale was used by the researcher to assess both the visibility and palpability of the veins. The experimental group received dry heat therapy, involving the application of a hot water bag at 40°C, covered with a cotton cloth, for 10 minutes over the selected vein site. After the intervention, the researcher reassessed the vein using the Vein Assessment Scale, then performed peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) according to a standardized protocol. The number of pricks required for successful cannulation was recorded, and pain levels were assessed by asking patients to rate their pain using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of dry heat therapy on the outcomes. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in vein visibility and palpability (p = 0.000), a reduction in the number of needle pricks (p = 0.0001), and lower pain levels (‘t(58)’=10.517, p=0.0001). Gender was the only personal variable significantly associated with the number of pricks. No other variables showed significant association with visibility, palpability, or pain levels. Conclusion: Dry heat application improves vein visibility and palpability effectively, reduces the number of pricks, and lowers pain during Peripheral intravenous cannulation. Additionally, the application of dry heat prior to IV cannulation was a more secure and cost-effective way.