Abstract

Objective: Intravenous catheters have been indispensable tools of modern medicine. Although intravenous applications can be used for a multitude of purposes, these applications may cause complications, some of which have serious effects. Among these complications, the most commonly observed is phlebitis. This study was conducted to determine the observation on developing thrombophlebitis among IV cannulated patients in experimental and control groups and to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast hydrotherapy in reducing the risk of developing thrombophlebitis among the experimental group.
Methods: This study determined the effect of contrast hydrotherapy to reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. The study included a total of 100 individuals who were admitted to the medical and surgical ward and satisfied the study enrollment criteria in Vijayapur/India. Data were compiled from Patient Information Forms and patient, Peripheral Intravenous Catheter and Therapy Information Forms, reported grades based on the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Assessment Scale, and Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Nurse Observation Forms. The data were analyzed using SPSS.
Results: The result shows that the mean pre-test score of the experimental group was 0. The mean posttest score was 0.424±0.70048. The findings were significant as computed p=0.000 and ‘t’ value 4.248 at 0.01 level of significance. The mean post-test score of the experimental group 0.424±0.70048 was lower than the mean post-test score of the control group 1.1599±1.87848. The computed p=0.000 and ‘t’ values were 4.469 at 0.01 level of significance.
Conclusion: The study concludes that contrast hydrotherapy was effective for reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis.

Keywords: Contrast; Hydrotherapy; Thrombophlebitis; IV cannula; Effectiveness