Effect of Infrared-Assisted Intravenous Catheterization on Patient Comfort in Lung Cancer Patients

Brief Summary

This study evaluated the effect of near-infrared (NIR) vein visualization-assisted peripheral intravenous catheterization on procedure-specific patient comfort and procedural pain in adults with lung cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy often develop progressive venous damage, which can make peripheral intravenous catheterization difficult. Failed attempts may increase pain and discomfort. The study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design (QUAN→qual). In the quantitative phase, 160 patients were randomized 1:1 to NIR-assisted catheterization or to standard catheterization based on visual inspection and palpation. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 11 patients from the intervention group to explore their experiences with the NIR device. The study was conducted at the Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit of Ataturk University Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey, as part of a doctoral thesis in Fundamentals of Nursing.