Today is our topic of discussion Infrared Therapy.
Infrared Therapy
Infrared Therapy
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 infra- red 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 articles at the bed side
- Position 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 discomfort
- Position the patient comfortably on the bed
- Replace the articles
- Wash hands
- Record the procedure in nurse’s record sheet.
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