Goal: The patient displays signs of improvement, such as decreased inflammation, decreased muscle spasms, or decreased pain that indicate problems have been relieved.
1. Review the medical order for the application of a moist warm compress, including frequency, and length of time for the application.
2. Gather the necessary supplies and bring to the bedside stand or overbed table.
3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.
4. Identify the patient.
5. Assess the patient for possible need for nonpharmacologic pain-reducing interventions or analgesic medication before beginning the procedure. Administer appropriate analgesic, consulting physician’s orders, and allow enough time for analgesic to achieve its effectiveness before beginning procedure.
6. Close curtains around bed and close door to room if possible. Explain what you are going to do and why you are going to do it to the patient.
7. If using an electronic heating device, check that the water in the unit is at the appropriate level. Fill the unit twothirds full with distilled water, or to the fill mark, if necessary. Check the temperature setting on the unit to ensure it is within the safe range (Refer to Skill 8-14).
8. Assist the patient to a comfortable position that provides easy access to the area. Use a bath blanket to cover any exposed area other than the intended site. Place a waterproof pad under the site.
9. Place a waste receptacle at a convenient location for use during the procedure.
10. Pour the warmed solution into the container and drop the gauze for the compress into the solution. Alternately, if commercially packaged pre-warmed gauze is used, open packaging.
11. Put on clean gloves. Assess the application site for inflammation, skin color, and ecchymosis.
12. Retrieve the compress from the warmed solution, squeezing out any excess moisture. Alternately, remove pre-warmed gauze from open package. Apply the compress by gently and carefully molding it to the intended area. Ask patient if the application feels too hot.
13. Cover the site with a single layer of gauze and with a clean dry bath towel; secure in place if necessary.
14. Place the Aquathermia or heating device, if used, over the towel.
15. Remove gloves and discard them appropriately. Perform hand hygiene and remove additional PPE, if used.
16. Monitor the time the compress is in place to prevent burns and skin/tissue damage. Monitor the condition of the patient’s skin and the patient’s response at frequent intervals.
17. After the prescribed time for the treatment (up to 30 minutes), remove the external heating device (if used) and put on gloves.
18. Carefully remove the compress while assessing the skin condition around the site and observing the patient’s response to the heat application. Note any changes in the application area.
19. Remove gloves. Place the patient in a comfortable position. Lower the bed. Dispose of any other supplies appropriately.
20. Remove additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.
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