Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injection Technique
Drawing Up (Preparing) The Medication
'Drawing up' is the process of preparing the medication prior to administration to a patient, it involves;
- Preparing and checking the equipment.
- Carefully checking the prescription.
- Undertaking any appropriate calculations.
- Adding solvent to a dry preparation (when required)
- Aspirating required medication into the syringe.
- Removing air-bubbles and ensuring correct volume of medication
- Selecting correct needle size
General Comments
Changing the Needle
Practice varies with respect to the need to change the needle between 'drawing up' and injecting the patient.
If the needle may have been damaged or contaminated the needle must be changed, possible reasons for this include;
- Accidentally touching the needle on packaging.
- Aspirating the contents of a vial through a rubber seal.
- Damaging the tip of the needle on the sides / bottom of a ampule.
If the needle is changed it should be detached (forceps may be used) and disposed of directly into a sharps bin.
Re-sheathing a Needle
CAUTION do not undertake resheathing whilst holding the sheath - it's dangerous (for you)!
The general advise it DON'T. However if undertaken, you MUST NOT hold the needle cover whilst inserting the needle.
When appropriate the scooping technique may carefully be used (scooping the cover up from a clean tray (see video)