Trying to give a less painful IM gluteal injection

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Hi. I'm in need of your help and experience. I am a recent nurse and i'm having difficulties in selecting the best method to give an IM gluteal injection.

Most of all my work collegues do this technique: they separate the needle from the siryngue and with the back of the hand they tap around 3 times de injection site; then in a quick movement they round the hand and dart with the needle. It seems the way the patient almost feels nothing but everytime i try to do it i cant have the sincronicity to tap-tap-tap-dart. and a pair of times the needle didn't stand perfectly in 90 degrees... When i search for this technique i don't see any text suporting this. Is this a common technique? Is it correct in terms of assepsia? this patients are used to the "beating" before darting. I personally think it would be easier for me if i do with the syringue and needle in one, without "beating" and rounding the hand . Can you help me?

Any of you know of any technique that reduces the pain? Usualy this patients ask for a standing position. Should i pinch, separate the skin? Is there a technique with wrist so i can dart more quickly? Please i need your help. Thank you very, very much.

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I've given myself lots of IM injections. They hurt least when they're fast, steady and straight (sometimes difficult when you're self administering). It's also best to let the alcohol dry completely before piercing the skin. I have no technique beyond that, and patients frequently tell me that my IM injections are pleasant compared to other people's.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Other than using some of the above, as well as using the ventrogluteal site as often as possible, I have no other suggestions.

The technique you describe sounds rife opportunities for infection.

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Yes i too think it could lead to infection. doesnt anyone have other tips so it doesnt hurt toomuch?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Ventrogluteal. Learn how to landmark it correctly.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Nursing/Patient Medications forum for more replies.

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Anyone has more opinions? Does stretching the local skin helps?

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Anyone?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I don't tap. I recall observing experienced nurses who did tap before all injections- IV and IM.

I think the important thing is that you don't hesitate. Pick your site and go for it.

I've had pts tell me that my injections don't hurt at all. I think it's due to the fact that I inject without hesitation.

Some people will say all injections hurt, no matter the technique.

Some pts require distraction. I've played music and allowed them to have a support person to be with them and hold their hands if they are super fearful of needles.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I tell pts to "take a deep breath" just immed as I inject. I catch 'em off guard! And I wait for the breath to inject.

As the pt then focuses on the act of taking a breath, I've injected my needle in just that fast. Like I don't give them a chance to think about my injection --- they're just thinking about breathing. It's a diversionary distraction technique I've done for years. They focus on breathing, not the injection.

Just be quick about it all in one fell swoop. I'm GOOOOOD giving injections - after soo many years of practice, the act comes easy.

And just one other thing - don't be smoooshing the inj site too much by palpating and making crisscrosses. Like don't be kneading the site like you're making bread dough!!! Be quick about it. Have an idea if your pt's a skinny-minny or has some meat on their bones and select a correct needle length. Sometimes I scrunch up the skin/muscle mass; sometimes I spread out the site. I'll know when I'm prepping the site.

Don't give your pt any idea that you have any hesitancy or question about giving the inj. The more assured you come across, the less they'll feel it.

And just know that sometimes the medicine DOES sting - nothing you do can really can help that.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

For 44.5 years, I stretch the skin, and quickly dart......my clients tell me they can not feel my injections (the needle anyway).....I often get the comment, ".you have already given it?"

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

1. Learn to landmark and use the ventrogluteal site. 2. Doesn't seem to matter whether you stretch the skin or bunch it. 3. Dart the needle in quickly at 90 degrees. I've seen many (mostly new) nurses hold the needle tip to the skin and then drill it in; this is not good technique. 4. Some types of medication are going to hurt anyway. Helpful to reconstitute Rocephin with lidocaine, but not everything can be modified.

Hope this helps.

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