Injection administration involves several crucial steps, varying slightly depending on the injection type (e.g., intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous). However, common practices include:
1. Preparation
- Hand Hygiene: Thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water (as per reference 1). This is the most critical step to prevent infection.
- Gather Supplies: Assemble all necessary materials, including the medication vial or pre-filled syringe, appropriate size needle, alcohol swabs, gauze pads, and a sharps container (references 1, 2). Pre-filled syringes and pens simplify preparation (references 3, 4, 5, 6).
2. Injection Site Preparation
- Locate the Site: The injection site varies based on the injection type. Intramuscular (IM) injections are typically given in the upper arm, thigh, or buttock (references 2, 7, 9, 10); subcutaneous (SC) injections are given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm (reference 7).
- Clean the Site: Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab, using a circular motion from the center outward (references 8, 9). Allow the area to air dry completely before injection.
3. Medication Preparation & Injection
- Prepare the Vial/Syringe: For vials, withdraw the correct dose of medication into the syringe (references 1, 4). Pre-filled syringes and pens require minimal preparation (references 3, 4, 5, 6).
- Inject the Medication: Insert the needle at the appropriate angle (typically 90 degrees for IM injections and 45 degrees for SC injections). Slowly and steadily inject the medication (references 1, 7, 9).
4. Post-Injection
- Remove the Needle: Carefully remove the needle at the same angle of insertion. Apply gentle pressure to the injection site with a gauze pad (references 1, 7). Discard needles and syringes safely in a sharps container immediately.
Specific examples of different injection routes:
- Intramuscular (IM): Used for vaccines (DTaP, DT, Hib, hepA, hepB, HPV, IIV, MCV, PCV, rabies, Td) and other medications requiring rapid absorption (reference 2). Deep muscle penetration ensures quick absorption into the bloodstream (reference 1).
- Subcutaneous (SC): Used for some medications requiring slower absorption (reference 7).
- Intravenous (IV): Administered directly into a vein, requiring skilled medical professionals to perform safely and efficiently. This method isn't described in the provided references.
