I'm Injections and hitting blood vessels?

[JourneyCC]

I'm just curious on average how many times, you've hit a blood vessel giving I'm injections (especially in VL site)? ...........I ask because in 4 years I"ve hit a blood vessel twice in VL site (and I've worked ED and ICU). My friend , RN for 6yrs says she hits a blood vessel at least 5% of the time. That seems high to me? Or am I just more lucky?

So what is your percentage or number of times hitting a vessel?

[mscsrjhm]

Once in 26 years.

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

I haven't done it and I've been giving IM's for 5 years. However I've only given one or two injections in the VL so maybe it's more common down there.

[Straydandelion]

Once.

[JourneyCC]

Thanks for your responses. I am glad I am not the only "lucky" one

[Jules A, MSN]

With as difficult as it can be to actually hit a vein when you are trying I can't imagine that in these cases you are really doing much more than knicking the vessel. Just my thought though. :)

[CHATSDALE]

i never hit a vein but i did hit a bone once..scared me to death

[CapNurse09]

One time in 27 years.

Went outside my boundary on a VG injection. I remember it well. I have given thousands of injections (office nurse) and it only happened this one time. If you ALWAYS know your landmarks and where to stick, it just shouldn't happen

[shrimpchips, LPN]

I'm just a nursing student and I've only given shots in the deltoid (but *a lot* of them!) and I have yet to hit a blood vessel.

[lpnflorida]

None so far, Bone once, yup unnerved me also.

We give fewer IM injections at this time in the hospital compared to years ago. The only IM I have given in the past 4 years has been flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Most all other drugs have either oral in nature or iv.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Never had it happen to me.