New way to give shots

[gonzo1]

My lovely and talented daughter in law is in nursing school and she is teaching me all kinds of new things.

Today she says that there is a new place to give "butt" shots. Supposedly we are supposed to go ventrogluteal now. Something about not accidentally hitting the sciatic nerve.

Does anyone else know of this? She knows I'm going on allnurses to see who else is learning this. She even showed me the handout from a rapid med type place that she recently went to.

Where can I find out more info about this. Fortunately I'm in ICU now and we don't ever really give shots. But if I float to ER I'm gonna need to know about this.

[guest64485]

If you give it VG, you do not need to aspirate.

Can you link a good definitive source for this? As far as I was aware only immunizations and insulin/heparin were clearly spelled out that there was no need to aspirate.

[featherzRN, MSN]

We were also taught VG 25 years ago. So no, not new. As for aspiration, newer guidelines seem to be that aspiration is no longer required for most injections.

[guest64485]

As for aspiration, newer guidelines seem to be that aspiration is no longer required for most injections.

What guidelines? Can you link a good definitive source for this? I haven't seen definitive sources say this except for immunizations, heparin, and insulin.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I was taught both 35 years ago. It is now the recommended site.

[Libby1987]

All muscles are going to be little on thin elderly people! All the more reason to choose ventroglute - in a really thin person, there's going to be less muscle there to protect the sciatic nerve. The VG muscle is larger/thicker than the dorsogluteal, so on a thin person, it's still going to be a better option.

it rarely comes up, occasional Rocephin and B12 can be given shallow/SQ but good to know.

[brownbook]

I hate giving IM's since I do so so rarely.....they have an IV!

I learned ventro gluteal, dorsal gluteal, vastus lateralis, and deltoid. (31 years ago or so.) Anterior superior iliac crest is stuck in my brain like a bad song!

I have been using the vastus lateralis, I thought that was a good, recommended, site and might have more muscle than other sites?

I love You Tube, great videos on giving IM injections, and many other interventions!

[OCNRN63, RN]

Been doing it for 3 decades. Not exactly new information. New to the OP, I guess.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

I've given depo injections and Hep A IG in the by VG. I'm sure there are youtube videos put out by nursing schools you can watch.

Step 1: locate greater trochanter and place palm on it

Step 2: locate anterior iliac crest and move index finger toward it

Step 3: Move middle and other fingers toward the back away from index to form a V

Step 4: Administer injection in the between index and middle finger in the V

[No Stars In My Eyes]

Haven't aspirated on an injection for YEARS.

[Red Kryptonite]

VG and no aspiration line up with what I'm learning now. Can I ask how many nurses actually change the needle between drawing up the med and injecting it? Because that's what they're teaching us and I'm pretty sure I have never seen a nurse do that.

[klone, MSN, RN]

VG and no aspiration line up with what I'm learning now. Can I ask how many nurses actually change the needle between drawing up the med and injecting it? Because that's what they're teaching us and I'm pretty sure I have never seen a nurse do that.

I and the 2 MAs I work with ALWAYS do.

Is that what is being taught now, and if so, do you have any citation for why it's best practice. My immediate manager thinks it's unnecessary and wasteful.

[Red Kryptonite]

I think it is too. The reason given by my instructor is that medication lingers on the outside of the needle and can irritate the dermal and subQ tissues through which it passes. I'll get something more exact from my book.