Ventrogluteal IM standing?

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

I just started at a clinic and they administer a lot of injections in the VG site. This is a new site for me... since I only gave flu shots and TB tests in my previous job. Online I have only seen the VG site used for patients in a sidelying position but at this clinic the nurses use it for patients that are standing- which is seems very difficult.

They have the pt. lean forward against the exam table and take their weight off the side of administration. Is this an acceptable practice?

Does anyone have advice for land marking for the site? I have been using my palm over the greater trochanter and making the V... administering in the V.

I have also seen nurses feel for the hip bone and make an upside L with their index finger and thumb then administer below the L- not comfortable with that practice. Thanks for any advice.

I always give IMs in the VG with the patient standing and leaning on the table. I have the patient pull down a small area of their bottoms so that the site is exposed but the patient is still covered and I place my palm over the greater trochanter and making a C with my index finger and thumb and inject in the center of the C. For a child, I have them lay on the table instead of standing. I have been doing VG IMs this way for 7 years and I have never had an issue.

I will only administer injections with the patient lying on the table (VG) or sitting in a chair (deltoid). My reasoning is that I don't want to have to fill out an incident report if vasovagal syncope occurs and the patient requires suturing to the scalp. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?

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