A quasi experimental study to assess theefficacy of hot fomentation vs glycerine magnesium sulphate paste vs ichthammol glycerine application in the treatment of peripheral infusion induced phlebitis among children admitted in selected hospitals of Faridkot, Punjab

Intravenous or peripheral infusions means introduction of large amount of fluid into the body via veins. Peripheral infusion is a stressful procedure for children. It is estimated that over 80% of all children entering hospital to receive I/V therapy experience minor problems. It also can lead to life threatening conditions like phlebitis etc. Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein. Symptoms of phlebitis are warmth, swelling, pain, and redness around the vein. Childhood is more vulnerable for phlebitis which may lead to infections and complications that adversely affect health status of child so the intervention should be done early to avoid infection and to prevent complications.

To assess the efficacy of Hot Fomentation, Glycerine Magnesium Sulphate Paste & Ichthammol Glycerine application in the treatment of peripheral infusion induced phlebitis among children.

Purposive sampling technique was used to select 60 (20 for Hot Fomentation, 20 for Glycerine Magnesium Sulphate Paste application, 20 for Ichthammol Glycerine application) children suffering from peripheral infusion induced phlebitis. Assessment of severity of phlebitis was measured by Visual Infusion Phlebitis Chart. Data was analyzed by using both one way ANOVA {Posthoc (Tukey) Analysis} and Repeated Measures ANOVA has been used in all three groups.

The findings revealed that when mean phlebitis scores of all the interventions were compared, On Day 1(E) and Day 2(M) there was no statistical significant difference in these interventions. Whereas, the mean difference of phlebitis score between Hot Fomentation and Ichthammol Glycerine was found to be significant on Day 2(E). On Day 3(M), the mean difference of phlebitis score between Hot Fomentation and Ichthammol Glycerine was found to be highly significant and the mean difference of phlebitis score between Glycerine Magnesium Sulphate Paste and Ichthammol Glycerine was found to be significant. On Day 3(E), the mean difference of phlebitis score between Hot Fomentation and Ichthammol Glycerine was found to be highly significant & the mean difference of phlebitis score between Glycerine Magnesium Sulphate Paste and Ichthammol Glycerine was found to be significant.

Ichthammol Glycerine is most efficient in the treatment of peripheral infusion induced phlebitis in children followed by Glycerine Magnesium Sulphate Paste and Hot Fomentation.