I’m giving Covid vaccines in our community. I’m looking for tips on deltoid IM injections from other nurses. Many needle phobic people I want to give the least painful shot as possible. Also many frail people with small arms. 2 Likes More Like This Back Up for Insulin Injections by seedanurse Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place by ham333 Moderna Booster - What was the dosage used in your facility? by NewRN'16, ADN, RN Anyone get their Booster yet? by MHDNURSE Paedatric Pfizer and Adolescent/Adult Pfizer by aliwonga88
Orca, ADN, ASN, RN Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC. Has 27 years experience. 2,066 Posts Mar 4, 2021 The biggest issue that I see (not just with COVID shots) is people pushing the needle in instead of darting it in. If you push it in slowly, you are tearing the tissue instead of piercing it, and it exposes more tissue to the often irritating effects of what is being injected. 11 Likes
mariaconcetta 23 Posts Mar 4, 2021 Thanks for your tip. I have been darting it in. Any advice for small frail arms? 1 Likes
nursej22, MSN, RN Specializes in Public Health, TB. Has 37 years experience. 2,242 Posts Mar 4, 2021 Know your landmarks and avoid injecting into the shoulder joint. Let the rubbing alcohol dry. And skin should be taut. Either spread it out with your non-injecting hand for loose skin or small arms, or bunch it up by grasping the muscle. And definitely dart it in. 9 Likes
Meliza Marcos, BSN, RN Specializes in Orthopaedic Surgery/Medical Surgical. Has 5 years experience. 4 Posts Mar 5, 2021 do it a quick and as smooth as possible. practice makes perfect. I was hated for giving out flu shots but after a few tries my patients couldn't believe that they already got the shot. 1 Likes
mariaconcetta 23 Posts Mar 5, 2021 Is bunching up the arm a standard of practice for frail or small arms? I’ve seen online that is my a technique that should be used for Covid vaccine. 1 Likes
toomuchbaloney Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice. Has 43 years experience. 7,964 Posts Mar 5, 2021 21 minutes ago, mariaconcetta said: Is bunching up the arm a standard of practice for frail or small arms? I’ve seen online that is my a technique that should be used for Covid vaccine. Helps with small muscle mass individuals. 5 Likes
nursej22, MSN, RN Specializes in Public Health, TB. Has 37 years experience. 2,242 Posts Mar 5, 2021 51 minutes ago, mariaconcetta said: Is bunching up the arm a standard of practice for frail or small arms? I’ve seen online that is my a technique that should be used for Covid vaccine. It depends on the arm. The person's arm should be relaxed, bunch if you can, but if there is little muscle sometimes spreading the skin out is more effective than bunching. But you want the skin taut. Edited Mar 5, 2021 by nursej22 3 Likes
MTRN18, BSN Specializes in CVICU. Has 4 years experience. 15 Posts Mar 6, 2021 Thanks for all the tips! 2 Likes
Orca, ADN, ASN, RN Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC. Has 27 years experience. 2,066 Posts Mar 8, 2021 On 3/4/2021 at 3:35 PM, mariaconcetta said: Thanks for your tip. I have been darting it in. Any advice for small frail arms? There was an item on the news this morning about COVID vaccine clinics locally. They showed 3-4 injections being given, and every one of them was pushed in. I wanted to yell at the television. These are licensed nurses who were supposedly taught how to give injections. Edited Mar 8, 2021 by Orca 7 Likes
grad2012RN Has 1 years experience. 63 Posts Mar 10, 2021 Thanks for the advice. I've been giving flu shots and other immunizations for a few years, and just learned something new. Also, we get yearly training for flu clinics. I wonder if the pharmacists and firefighters that are administering vaccinations get this expert training? 2 Likes
