Question on Lovenox injection aites

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We send our cardiac kids out for surgeries to a heart center, they used to keep them until discharge, but have recently started sending them back to us. Can we use any other site than their legs for the subQ injections? Their poor little legs look pretty sore after a while!

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

We also use upper arms and you could probably use abdomen if they are a little older, I've seen abdomen used anyways. Do you use insuflon catheters? You can use them anywhere you would do a sub-q injection, which really, isn't very deep and you should be able to rotate around a lot. If you're not using insuflon catheters then I can understand the bruising but the catheters should minimize that if you can get them.

[NeoPediRN]

i second the insuflon catheters!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Thanks!! I will bring up the catheters to our unit manager :) We just started getting these kids back and we were feeling bad about their legs!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We used Insufflons here for years. Then we got a thrombosis team. Kidclot did a study and learned that levels were not stable with the use of Insufflons and there was no less bruising. So we dropped the Insufflons. We now have a P&P for LMWH injections. Prep the site well with antiseptic. Have a 2x2 handy. Inject the dose then immediately apply direct pressure to the site for a minimum of 5 minutes. Don't rub.

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

We used Insufflons here for years. Then we got a thrombosis team. Kidclot did a study and learned that levels were not stable with the use of Insufflons and there was no less bruising. So we dropped the Insufflons. We now have a P&P for LMWH injections. Prep the site well with antiseptic. Have a 2x2 handy. Inject the dose then immediately apply direct pressure to the site for a minimum of 5 minutes. Don't rub.

Interesting as I have not seen that much bruising. I just admitted a kiddo from another hospital the other day who had not been using the catheters and he was covered in bruises and his parents hated giving the injections twice a day. We have started using the catheters for him and have seen little bruising and his levels have been stable. We change the catheter site once a week or as needed

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I had a home care infant on Lovenox. We used her upper arms and legs. I currently work in a PICU where they use the injection ports - I HATE them. They hurt more then just giving the injection and rotating sites IMHO. On infants, I give the shot while they sleep and they seldom even wake up using a tiny needle.