Effect of local cold and hot pack on the bruising of enoxaparin sodium injection site: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of the application of local cold and cold-hot packs upon the size of bruising at the injection site of subcutaneous enoxaparin sodium. Methods: One-hundred and eighty patients with coronary diseases were allocated randomly to three groups: (i) local cold gel pack group; (ii) local cold-hot gel pack group; and (iii) control group. Assessment of the presence of a bruise was conducted at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the injections for all patients. Results: The cold-hot pack group had significantly less and smaller injection site bruising than the two other groups at 48 and 72 hours (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: The local application of cold-hot packs is more effective on reducing bruises following enoxaparin sodium injections when compared with local cold pack application alone. Thus, this process can improve the quality of nursing care for hospitalized patients receiving these injections.