This was just published in the Oncology Nursing Forum (July) issue by a group at Univ of Colorado Hospital--done in their infusion center. Here is the abstract:
Purpose/Objectives: To determine whether dry versus moist heat application to the upper extremity improves IV insertion rates.
Design: Two-group, randomized, controlled clinical design.
Setting: An academic cancer infusion center in the western United States.
Sample: 136 hematologic outpatients with cancer or other malignancies.
Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to dry or moist heat with warmed towels wrapped around each patient’s arm for seven minutes prior to IV insertion. Skin and room temperatures were monitored pre- and postwarming. Two experienced chemotherapy infusion nurses performed the venipunctures according to protocol. Outcomes were examined using variance analysis, with 34 patients for each combination of nurse and heat type.
Main Research Variables: Number of IV insertion attempts, time to achieve IV insertion postheating, patient anxiety levels pre- and postheating, and patient comfort.
Findings: Dry heat was 2.7 times more likely than moist heat to result in successful IV insertion on the first attempt, had significantly lower insertion times, and was more comfortable. Heat type had no effect on patient anxiety.
Conclusions: Dry heat application decreases the likelihood of multiple IV insertion attempts and procedure time and is comfortable, safe, and economical to use in an outpatient oncology setting.
Implications for Nursing: Dry heat application may improve successful IV insertion rates, decrease costs, and improve patient satisfaction.
Can you post the complete bibliography information - authors name, article title, etc? Thanks, Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Fink, R., Hjort, E., Wenger, B., Cook, P., Cunningham, M., Orf, A., Pare, W., and Zwink, J. (2009). The impact of dry versus moist heat on peripheral IV catheter insertion in a hematology-oncology outpatient population. Oncology Nursing Forum 36 (4): E198-E204. (The E indicates electronic, I suppose.)
It's the July 2009 issue, but only found online, not in the hard copy journal. ONF seems to be doing more articles online and fewer published in the hard copy version. I'm sure they are moving that direction
BTW, the second name is not a mis-spelling . . . it is Hjort.