Effectiveness of Moist Heat Application on Visibility and Palpability of Peripheral Veins before Intravenous Cannulation among Patients at Selected Hospitals of City

Abstract

Background: Peripheral venous cannulation is indispensable in the practice of modern medicine but
it may not be free of complications and identification of the veins can be difficult at times. Aim: The
purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of moist heat application on visibility and
palpability of peripheral veins. Method: the study design was quasi experimental, non-randomized
control group design. Sample comprised of 60 patients undergoing intravenous cannulation from
selected hospitals ofPune. Convenience sampling technique was used for the study. The patients in
experimental group wereprovided moist heat application for 10 minutes before undergoing intravenous
cannulation whereas control group received no intervention.Data was collected before intravenous
cannulation by using five point vein assessment scale for visibility and palpability of veins. Result. In
experimental groupaveragevisibility & palpability score of veins was 1.67 with 0.76 standard deviation
before intervention which changed to average of 4.5 with 0.57 standard deviation in posttest. t value
for the test was 27.840 with 29 degree of freedom. Corresponding p-value was less than 0.05. Thus
highly significant difference was found between pre and post-test scores of patients regarding visibility
and palpability of peripheral veins in Experimental group. At posttestin the experimental group average
visibility & palpability score was 4.5 with 0.57 SD and that in control group was 2.47 with 0.90 SD.
t value for this test was 10.437 with 58 degree of freedom. Conclusion: The findings of the study
showed that the moist heat application is significantly effective on improving visibility and palpability
of peripheral veins among patients undergoing intravenous cannulation.