Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Clinical Skills Centre > Clinical Skills Resources

• Introduction
• Learning Outcomes
• Why administer by Injection?
• Intramuscular & Subcutaneous Routes?
• Anatomy of Injection Sites
  • Intramuscular Thigh
  • Intramuscular Buttock
  • Intramuscular Arm
  • Subcutaneous Sites
• Assessing Injection Sites
• Equipment
  • Syringe
  • Needles
  • Preparation
• Drawing up the Medication
• Intramuscular Injection Technique
• Subcutaneous Injection Technique
• Documentation and Record Keeping
• Quiz
• Credits & Further Reading

Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injection Technique

Documentation and Record Keeping

• Both prior to and following drug administration, good documentation and record keeping is essential for patient safety.
• Check prescriptions carefully for accuracy and completeness'.
• Check the patient and their records to ensure this in an appropriate medication and they have no contraindications e.g. allergies and interactions.
• Check the medication to ensure it is the correct medication, the correct dose / concentration, not expired, in good condition and appropriate for the patient and the prescribed route.
• Ensure you have the correct patient, use more then one dimension to check the patient. DO NOT accept another member of staff simply pointing out the patient to you.
• Record the administration immediately after it has been given.
• Document the effect and any side effects as appropriate.
• Controlled drugs require two staff (one to act as a witness) when administering and documenting.

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