[A project to improve nasal ice packs]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Medical Devices
• Pain Management

Context:

• Nasal surgeries are common in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialty.
• Post-nasal surgery discomfort, including swelling and pain, significantly impacts patient recovery.
• Traditional ice packs are poorly effective due to poor adherence, difficulty in securing, and inconvenience.

Purpose:

• To develop and evaluate an improved ice pack for post-nasal surgery pain and swelling management.
• To enhance patient comfort and compliance with post-operative care protocols.
• To explore cost-effective solutions for common post-surgical issues.

Summary:

• A novel ice pack was designed using a latex glove filled with crushed ice and water, secured with shoelaces around the ears.
• This new method was tested on patients recovering from nasal surgery.
• The project involved preparation, execution, and evaluation phases to assess its efficacy and patient acceptance.

Impact:

• The new ice pack demonstrated high patient willingness (96.7%) and satisfaction (96.7%) for managing post-nasal surgery discomfort.
• This innovation has the potential to improve patient quality of care and reduce healthcare costs.
• The findings may guide the development of more effective post-operative pain management strategies.