INFRARED THERAPY (HOT APPLICATION) – Purpose, Preliminary Assessment, Preparation of Patient and Environment, Equipment, Procedure and After Care
UPDATED 2024
Infrared radiation is long visible rays of spectrum used therapeutically for production of heat in tissues
PURPOSE
- To promote comfort
- To soften connective tissues
- To promote healing of bed sores
- To improve circulation
- To relieve spasm and pain
- To promote suppuration
- To relieve congestion in internal organs
General Instructions
- The patient and the therapist must wear protective goggles during the procedure
- Instruct the patient not to touch the lamp, nor to move close to it during procedure
- Advice the patient not to touch lamp
- Warn the patient that lamp would become hot after few minutes
- Advisable for nurse to stand or stay with patient throughout treatment
- Patient and nurse to avoid facing lamp
- Keep the patient’s skin clean and dry before using infrared lamp
- It helps in the pigmentation of skin, production of vitamin D and bactericidal activity
- The duration of treatment is usually 20 minutes
Preliminary Assessment
- Doctors order for any specific instruction
- General condition and diagnosis of the patient
- Self-care ability to follow instructions
- Type and duration of the treat
- Articles available in the unit
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Provide privacy if needed
- Arrange the patient according to the treatment
- Expose only the needed part
Equipment
- Infrared lamp
- Inch tape
- Top sheet
- Goggles
Procedure
- Wash hands
- Expose area to which heat is to be applied
- Drape patient appropriately to avoid exposures
- Put on goggles to protect patient’s eyes
- Place lamp at a distance 45 cm to 55 cm (18 inches)
- After 5 minutes commencement of treatment
After Care
- Check the condition of patient’s skin for burns, redness and the discomfort
- Position the patient comfortably on the bed
- Replace the articles
- Wash hands
- Record the procedure in nurse’s record sheet
