Doff gloves and perform hand hygiene and document.Secure the site with a band-aid or gauze and tape.Remove the needle and engage the safety on the device.The injection speed should be approximately 1 mL per 10 seconds for most vaccinations and medications. Inject the medication slowly, so that the patient does not experience trauma to the tissue.For additional information, go to CDCs vaccine administration resource library at. If administering more than one vaccine in the same arm, separate the injection sites by 1 inch if possible. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle and inject all of the vaccine in the muscle tissue. Inject the medication into the injection site as quickly and firmly as possible at a 90′ degree angle. Inject the vaccine into the middle and thickest part of the muscle.Before penetrating the muscle with the needle, perform the z-track technique.Wait a few seconds until the alcohol is completely dry before proceeding with the injection. Use an alcohol pad to prepare the injection site by cleaning in the center and working outward.The deltoid muscle is usually the best site to administer injections in adults, but medications with volumes greater than 2 ml should be injected in a large muscle groups like the ventrogluteal. Select the best site to administer the intramuscular injection.Gather supplies: alcohol pads, syringe, needle (needle length varies on the muscle used), gauze, and adhesive tape. It is possible that patients will faint during the injection process so nurses should take precautions to prevent any type of injury to the patient while administering the intramuscular injection. For viscous and large amounts of medication be sure to use larger needles. Intramuscular injections can be performed using 18-23 gauge needles. Medical professionals may suggest a particular site to patients so that they experience the least amount of pain during the injections. Palpate the muscle prior to administering an injection to ensure the muscle is able to support the medicine to be administered. Large muscle sites with little fatty tissue are the best sites for intramuscular injections. Selecting the best site is important to prevent injury and proper absorption of the medication. Therefore, this IM injection site is now AVOIDED. In addition, large amounts of fatty tissue can be found at this site, which can lead to a subcutaneous type of injection rather than an intramuscular injection. WHY? The site is very close to important structures such as the sciatic nerve and blood vessels.

Update: Due to recent research, the dorsogluteal site is NO longer recommended as a potential site for a intramuscular injection. The best locations to administer intramuscular injections are the: There are 3 sites that are perfect for intramuscular injections.

Intramuscular injections are provided for patients who need fast acting medications administered to them. Depending of the amount or type of medication, intramuscular injections may be necessary. There are certain medications that can only be administered from injections into the patient’s muscles. Intramuscular injections are part of medical procedures in which medications are injected directly into the muscles. How to Give Intramuscular (IM) Injections

Dorsogluteal injection