Heel Warming With Mild and Hot Thermofor Applied Before Heel Lance

Heel warming with thermophor during heel blood collection is a cost-effective and easy-to-apply method. In previous studies, it has been shown that applying heat to the heel reduces the pain of taking heel blood, increases comfort and shortens the procedure time and total crying time. Warm aplication increases the skin surface temperature, causing proximal vasodilation, thereby accelerating blood flow and increasing blood circulation. Increased blood circulation can reduce the pressure applied to the heel of newborns, shorten the procedure time, reduce the perception of pain and increase comfort. As a result of the literature review, it is seen that there is no clarity about the temperature degrees used in heel heating. It has been seen in the literature that warming the heel before heel blood collection is often carried out as mild (34-37C) or hot (38-40C). This study aims to determine heel warming with mild (34-37C) and hot (38-40C) thermofor applied before heel lance on total crying time and procedure time in healthy term newborns.