less painful heparin injections?

Nurses Medications

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.

Looking for ways to make the daily heparin injections easier on my patients. Some are pretty bruised and one cried the other day. I do everything the way I should but it hurts them so much; I don't think its my technique as much as the medication itself, and the fact that they are getting it TID.

Does anyone have suggestions? What about the less painful sites? Where I recently started working, the side of the thigh seems to be the popular spot. Is there anywhere else less painful?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

we have always given them in the abd, and after injecting med leave needle in for a count of ten. This allows the med to get into the subq tissue, so when you take the needle out. they don't bruise as much and not as sore. I have been giving heparin for about 15 years and rarely do people really c/o pain.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

I draw up the injections with a tuberculin syringe (can substitute with an insulin syringe) and put an air bubble in it (similar to lovenox) tapping it to the top of the syringe. Pinch the site prior to injecting, inject into the normal abdominal areas, not too slowly but steady, pull out right right after the air bubble goes in. With this technique I never get any blood and have yet to see any bruising (except if the patient rubs or bangs the area). Of course, be sure to rotate sites.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.

what is the purpose of the air bubble? Is it for pain control? Do you inject the air bubble too?

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I draw it up in a 1cc syringe with a 25g needle and give it. I've never had anybody say a word about it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.
I draw it up in a 1cc syringe with a 25g needle and give it. I've never had anybody say a word about it.

Thats what I do too. Maybe I just have had some super-sensitive patients. What site do you use?

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Have them wiggle their toes while you are giving it.

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
:bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1:Heparin injections >> I had them when I had my Gall Bladder removed, they where awful!! The first one or two where OK but then they started to feel like bee stings! I always got then in the same arm and place so that could be why they hurt so much,:bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1:
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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.
what is the purpose of the air bubble? Is it for pain control? Do you inject the air bubble too?

Yes, inject the air bubble. Prefilled lovenox has it already in place. The air bubble pushes it into the sq tissue, preventing bleeding and bruising at the site. The tuberculin syringe (or insulin syringe) keeps the pain down and allows for an even, steady flow.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.
Yes, inject the air bubble. Prefilled lovenox has it already in place. The air bubble pushes it into the sq tissue, preventing bleeding and bruising at the site. The tuberculin syringe (or insulin syringe) keeps the pain down and allows for an even, steady flow.

Thank you. I will try this today and see what happens. I think that part of the problem is using the same sites over a long period of time; it seems that the thigh gets really bruised and I'll try the abd. also. Thanks again! :)

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I rotate sites and generally give the patient an option of "either or"

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.
Yes, inject the air bubble. Prefilled lovenox has it already in place. The air bubble pushes it into the sq tissue, preventing bleeding and bruising at the site. The tuberculin syringe (or insulin syringe) keeps the pain down and allows for an even, steady flow.

Thanks for the idea! It worked!

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