Pneumovax 23 Nursing Home

[ConcernedNurse]

At a retirement home, in addition to influenza, our group is doing PNEMOVAX 23 for those who want it and meet the criteria.

Quick question because internally none of us nurses have a consensus on how to administer it while remaining uniform with what the others do.  The package insert says “for intramuscular or subcutaneous injection” and that is the hang up.

We asked for policy or clarification and the physicians kind of nonchalantly seemed disinterested saying to follow the insert that they delegate to us to be the experts.

 

I realize the answer may differ, but to survey what others do in their healthcare institutions, pharmacies, etc.  Do you or your institutions prefer to give PPSV23 IM or SQ and why?

Thanks