A Comparative Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Warm Compress versus NaCl Compress in Relieving Phlebitis among Patients with IV Cannulation Admitted at Selected Hospitals of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Intravenous therapy although one of the most commonly performed procedures in hospitalized patients. The occurrence of infusion phlebitis is common for patients with IV infusion therapy. Infusion phlebitis is defined as the acute inflammation of the vein directly linked to the presence of an IV access device. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effectiveness of Warm Compress versus NaCl Compress in relieving phlebitis among patients with IV cannulation. Objective: to assess the degree of phlebitis, to assess effect of warm compress and NaCl compress and to compare the effectiveness between warm compress and NaCl compress in reducing phlebitis using Jackson?s visual infusion phlebitis scale. Methodology: Quasi experimental comparative study was conducted in selected wards of Deen Dyal Upadhyay Zonal Hospital at Shimla. Sample of 60 patients were selected using non probability convenient sampling technique. Pre-test and post test was conducted and same day, warm compress and Nacl compress were administered for three days. Result: The findings of the study revealed that the pre test and post test phlebitis score in warm compress application and NaCl compress application is significance. The study shows that there was significant reduction in intravenous cannulation induce phlebitis after application of warm compress (mean value 2.53, S.D. 0.507and in post test score mean value 0.23, S.D. 0.568). The mean difference in pre and post test score was 2.30, P value (0.0000). This difference is statistically significant. And in NaCl compress (mean value 2.53, S.D. 0.507 and in post test score mean value 0.30, S.D. 0.596). The mean difference in pre and post test score was 2.23, P value (0.0000). This difference is statistically significant. But comparing to these two intervention warm compress is more effective than NaCl compress. GROUP I and GROUP II pre test score mean difference is 0.00, p value (1.0000 ) and in group I and GROUP II post test score the mean difference is 0.07, P value (0.6591). This difference is statistically not significant. Statistical significance was calculated by using unpaired ?t? test. The results were Not-Significant in both the groups.