Effectiveness of Mechano-Analgesia and Cold Application on Ecchymosis, Pain and Satisfaction at Subcutaneous Heparin Injection

Effectiveness of Mechano-Analgesia and Cold Application on Ecchymosis, Pain and Satisfaction at Subcutaneous Heparin Injection

Fifty-five patients received three subcutaneous heparin injections (165 injections) by the same investigator using additional techniques such as mechano-analgesia and cold application, and without any additional techniques.

The abdomen was divided into four quarters. The first, second, and third SC heparin injections were applied from the right abdominal region using ShotBlocker®, left abdominal region with an ice pack, and lower abdominal region without any additional application, respectively. All the injection sites were circled using a skin marking pen (r = 5 cm). All the injections were administered following a standard procedure. Pain and satisfaction were assessed immediately after the injection by using the VAS score. Ecchymosis was assessed with an ecchymosis measurement tool at 48 and 60 hours after the injection (Figure 3).

This study was conducted on receiving treatment patients in the Orthopedics and Traumatology wards of a university hospital.

The second SC heparin injections were applied from the lower abdominal region without any additional application

ShotBlocker is a drug-free tool with no side effects and does not require preparation. It is a flexible, plastic, C-shaped device with a number of short (2 mm) blunt contact points on its back.

The VAS was used to measure pain intensity. The VAS was composed of a 10-cm long line, which had subjective descriptive expressions on both sides (0 cm: no pain and 10 cm: unbearable pain). The individual was asked to make a sign on the line indicating the degree of the pain. The numerical values were recorded by the researcher.

Inclusion Criteria: Must be older than 18 years Open to communication No complications during the operation Normal body mass index (BMI; reference range, 18.5-29.9 kg/m2) (d) and Platelet count (150.000-300.000) Give consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: Oral and parenteral anticoagulant treatment for at least 5 days Infection, scar tissue or incision, and parenteral treatment in their abdominal area Hematological and allergic disease

Celik N, Khorshid L. The Use of ShotBlocker for Reducing the Pain and Anxiety Associated With Intramuscular Injection: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study. Holist Nurs Pract. 2015 Sep-Oct;29(5):261-71. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000105.