Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Intravenous (IV) cannulation is a routine yet often uncomfortable procedure, with patient discomfort and failed first‑attempt insertions contributing to anxiety, procedural delays, and potential complications. Simple warm compress therapy applying localized heat to the IV insertion site prior to cannulation has been postulated to enhance venous dilation, improve vein visibility, and reduce pain. This research aims to evaluate the benefits of warm compress therapy for reducing IV‑site discomfort and improving cannulation success. In a randomized controlled setting, adult patients were assigned either to receive a 5‑minute warm compress (39-42 °C) on the target limb before IV insertion or to undergo standard cannulation without warming. Outcomes included first‑attempt insertion success rate, patient-reported pain (VAS), and general comfort. Results showed that the warm compress group had significantly higher first-attempt success rates (≈ 92.6% vs 66.7%), lower pain scores (mean VAS: 2.8 vs 4.5), and higher satisfaction compared to the control group. These findings indicate that simple warm compress therapy is an effective, low-cost, and easily implementable intervention to reduce IV-site discomfort and improve procedural efficiency in routine healthcare settings.