subQ narcotics?

Published

i 've just came across this subQ morphine injection and its strange to me cos we never give it in this route (in singapore). just wanted to know is it very common in the us? and whats the normal dosage then? thanks

Specializes in Acute Med, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.
Can you elaborate on that - I've never seen pain meds given SQ, and I want to understand why IM is a bad idea.

Where I work, morphine or Dilaudid are sometimes given IM if it is a pt. with NO IV access and the situation doesn't warrant a central line. In a year in the ER, I've never seen pain meds given SQ - this was news to me.

i always avoided IM becuase i was under the impression it was a painful way to give the injection. i love using the butterfly SQ because it's relatively painless to stick the person, you only have to stick them once and then you can push the drugs intermittently, and it doesnt matter if you cant get IV access.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

can you give me a better picture of the butterfly tech? Where is the best spot to put it? Is this standard practice at your hospital fora pt who needs prn sq meds ? I think it is a great idea, but have never seen it in practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

cant remember the manugacturer, however there is a device designed to accomplish this....has a huber needle, with adhesive disc....and a valve, with luer access.....usually placed in the abd fat....good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU,ER.

In all honesty, aren't a lot of supposed "IM" meds given SQ? I mean, the longest IM needle we stock is 1 1/2 in. and I'll just tell ya, 1 1/2 inches isn't enough for a lot of people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA for 5 years, LPN for 5 years.

We give morphine sub-q with our very sick and dying pateints so that we don't have to stick them numerous times for IV. We also give morphine topically, avoiding any sticks and this is a wonderful creation.

smoo

Up Vote Up Vote ×
can you give me a better picture of the butterfly tech? Where is the best spot to put it? Is this standard practice at your hospital fora pt who needs prn sq meds ? I think it is a great idea, but have never seen it in practice.

I've given morphine this way. We call them "buttons", and I've seen them and placed them myself in abd, upper arm, and even outer thigh and buttocks if needed. I work LTC tho, and we have alot of pts on the way out, due to terminal conditions. When my Mom was a ca pt at my facility, she had several "buttons" for the several sq meds she was given. Helps save the pt from multiple sticks. They're great, can't praise them enough! Just remember, one "button" per med, dedicated to admin of that med, and changed q 3 d at most facilities I've been to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

think these links will help:

sq continuous morphine infusion, i've tended to use area with largest sq fat pad, generally leg. insert 25-27 gauge butterfly needle at 30 to 45 degree angle or use subq button. site rotated minimum of q 7 days, many get changed q 3 days when redness/lump develops at insertion site.

subcutaneous infusions

fast fact and concept #028: subcutaneous infusions

s u b cuta n eo u s th e ra p y: www.palliative.uab.edu/response/section5-5.pdf

procedure: subcutaneous cannula insertion procedure

button type sub-q devices:

clearview "sub-q" needle infusion set

right angle needle infusion sets designed specifically for the delivery of medications

to the subcutaneous tissue.

infusion sets

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I worked in an ER where we had a lot of patients with Sickle Cell Anemia. The most common pain med was Morphine SQ. That was my first time doing this on a regular basis. It controlled the pain longer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg.

We give Nubaine IM occasionally; once it was ordered on a pt with running heparin; I showed it to the Doc and he changed it ASAP to IV.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
i 've just came across this subQ morphine injection and its strange to me cos we never give it in this route (in singapore). just wanted to know is it very common in the us? and whats the normal dosage then? thanks

Used to be very commonly done a long time ago, personally I miss it.

and with the size of most asses today, most IM injections are really deep SQ anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i'm accustomed to giving morphine sc quite frequently.

if i don't use the concentrate (20mg/cc), then sc is the 2nd most desirable route, and pts do not seem to mind at all.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

In the Uk we used IM morphine more often than IV.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion