Comparing the effect of warm moist compress and Calendula ointment on the severity of phlebitis caused by 50% dextrose infusion: A clinical trial

Background: One of the important hypertonic solutions is 50% dextrose. Phlebitis is the most common complication of this solution, the management of which is quite necessary. Regarding this, the present study aimed to compare the effect of warm moist compress and Calendula ointment on the severity of phlebitis caused by 50% dextrose infusion.

Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 96 patients admitted to five surgery units of a teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran, who received 50% dextrose through intravenous catheter in 2016-2017. The study population was selected through convenience sampling technique, and then randomly assigned into three groups of Calendula, compress, and control. The site of intravenous catheters was constantly evaluated from the beginning of dextrose infusion to the emergence of phlebitis. After the onset of phlebitis, the affected locations were managed with the application of warm moist compress (for 20 min) and Calendula ointment (2.5 g) in the compress and Calendula groups, respectively. The interventions were performed every 8 h for three days, and the severity of phlebitis was assessed before and three days after the interventions using Visual Infusion Phlebitis score. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 22 using Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: According to the results, the severity of phlebitis had a more significant reduction in the Calendula group (P=0.002), compared to that in the compress group (P=0.006) after the intervention. This difference between the groups was significant only on the second (P=0.003) and third (P<0.001) days post-intervention.

Conclusion: As the findings of the present study indicated, the application of Calendula ointment decreased the severity of phlebitis in a shorter duration, compared to the use of warm moist compress. Therefore, this ointment is recommended to be used for the reduction of phlebitis severity.