1. Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold
Chapter 27
Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold

2. Patient-Centered Care
Local application of heat and cold provides comfort and pain relief, reduces swelling, improves mobility, and promotes healing
Place patient in position of comfort.
Provide privacy by only exposing area to be treated.
Educate the patient and caregivers to report:
Excessive heat or cold sensations.
Tingling.
Numbness.
Any discomfort during treatment.

3. Safety Application of local heat and cold can lead to tissue damage.
Closely monitor application sites (skin or wounds).
Instruct patients to report changes in sensation or discomfort in treated area.
Closely monitor patients with decreased sensation, decreased voluntary movement, confusion, or dementia.
Apply therapy at prescribed temperature and for prescribed duration.
Drape patient for privacy.
Protect linen from moisture.

4. Skill 27.1 Moist Heat
Intermittent or continuous application, immersion, or sitz bath
Gather baseline data.
Obtain vital signs; inspect skin or wound.
Apply local heat no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
Change compress every 5 to 10 minutes.
Maintain constant soak or immersion temperature.
Assess treatment area frequently.

5. Skill 27.2 Dry Heat
Aquathermia pads, electric heating pads, or commercial heat packs
Cover heating pad with pillow case or wrap affected area with bath towel.
Remove treatment after 20 to 30 minutes or as ordered.
Assess treatment area every 5 minutes.

6. Skill 27.3 Cold Applications
Ice bags, moist cold compresses, commercial cold packs or electromechanical devices
Cover cooling pad with pillow case or wrap affected area with bath towel.
Mold compress over treatment site.
Assess treatment area every 5 minutes.
Remove treatment after 15 to 20 minutes or as ordered.
Reduce application time over joints.