ADMINISTRATION OF INTRAMUSCULAR MEDICATION

REQUIREMENTS #

1. A tray containing the following:
   • Medication
   • Two or three syringes
   • Needles
   • Cotton wool swabs in gallipot
   • Antimicrobial solution
2. Treatment chat
3. File where necessary
4. Sharps container

STEPS #

1. Check for the right patient, right medication, right time, right dose against doctor’s order and treatment chart (manual or electronic) as well as the expiry date
2. Establish rapport (Refer to steps)
3. Explain procedure and reassure patient
4. Ensure patient’s right to know/consent and to refuse medication
5. Perform hand hygiene
6. Prepare and sent tray to the bed side
7. Check patient details and medication dosage against the treatment chart (manual or electronic)
8. Assemble syringe and needle using sterile technique
9. File/break ampoule or remove metal cap of vial with a clean swab
10. Draw medication with a syringe and discard the needle into the sharp container
11. Replace needle with a new one and expel air
12. Assist patient into a required position and exposes site for injection
13. Clean injection site with cotton swab dipped in antimicrobial solution (i.e. upper outer quadrant for buttocks and outer aspect for thigh)
14. Insert the needle quickly and firmly deep into the muscle at right angle
15. Withdraw plunger a little to ensure needle is not in the blood vessel (if blood appears withdraws needle)
16. Push to release medication into the tissue
17. Withdraw the syringe and needle quickly and with a swab gently applies pressure to the site of injection
18. Discard syringe and needle into a sharps container
19. Put patient into a desirable position
20. Document procedure on nurses’ notes and chart on the treatment chart (manual or electronic)
21. Dispose off used items and decontaminate tray
22. Perform hand hygiene
23. Check on patient after thirty (30) minutes for therapeutic effect