Injection Administration Techniques

Rachel Nowak, PharmDClinical Instructor, UWSOP

Bartell Drugs Clinical CoordinatorJanuary 29, 2010

Objectives Describe proper techniques for

administering injectable drugs Describe precautions to take when

administering injectable products Appreciate pharmacist role in

administering injectable medications

Vaccines 101

Immunity Passive Immunity

– Antibody produced by one human or other animal is transferred to another

– Temporary protection• Example: Immunity an infant receives from its mother

Active Immunity– Immune system is stimulated to produce cellular

and humoral immunity – Lasting protection

• Example: Survive infection from the disease causing organism

Basic MOA of Vaccines

Vaccinations produce active immunity.

Immune response and immunologic memory produced is similar to that caused by natural infection.

Comes without the risks of the actual disease and associated complications.

Classifications of Vaccines Live attenuated

– Attenuated or weakened form of disease-causing bacterium or virus

– Must replicate to be effective• Uncontrolled replication of the vaccine virus

can cause severe reactions - only occurs in patients with immunodeficiency

– Immune response is cellular & humoral– Circulating antibodies interfere – Usually produce immunity after one dose

Classifications of Vaccines

Inactivated– Inactivated form of bacterium or virus– Can’t replicate

• Can’t cause disease, even in immunodeficient patients

– Immune response primarily humoral– Less affected by circulating antibody than

live vaccines– Always requires more than one dose– Antibody titer decline over time

Immunization Procedures

Screening

Standard Questions– Do you have any drug/food allergies?– Do you have any chronic diseases?– What medications do you take?

Basic Vaccine Screening Questions Are you sick today? Are you allergic to latex? Do you have any allergies to any vaccine or

vaccine components? – Ex: Eggs, gelatin

Have you ever had a serious reaction after receiving a vaccine?

Have you had Guillian-Barre Syndrome in the past?

Is it possible that you could be pregnant? Breastfeeding?

Additional Vaccine Screening Questions

Do you have cancer, leukemia, AIDs, or any other immune system problem?

Do you take cortisone, prednisone, other steroids, anticancer drugs, or have you had radiation treatments?

In the past year, have you received a transfusion of blood or blood products or been given immune globulin or an antiviral medication?

Have you received any vaccinations in the past 4 weeks?

Consent Answer any questions patient may

have Patient needs to understand

benefits and risks of getting immunized and consent to vaccine administration.– If it is a child under 18, then parent or

guardian consent should be obtained

Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) Patient education sheets developed

by the CDC– Helps to explain the risks and benefits

of receiving a particular vaccine Federal law requires that VISs be used

for most vaccines when vaccinating patients

– Should be given before vaccine administered

Parts of a Syringe

Preparing Syringe Choose correct SYRINGE size

– If <0.5ml need low-dose syringe (1mL, 3mL)– Finely graduated syringe will ensure accurate amount– Fluzone (influenza) is 0.5mL dose– Pneumovax (pneumonia) is 0.5mL dose

Maximum volumes– Deltoid – No more than 0.5-1mL– Large muscle (gluteus medius)

• Adult – no more than 4mL• Child – no more than 1-2mL

Needle Lengths and Gauges

Preparing Needle

Choose correct needle LENGTH and GAUGE

Minimize tissue injury and SQ leakage Allow easy passage (23 vs. 25 gauge) Needle length depends on injection site

– Adults 5/8” vs. 1” vs. 1.5”– Children 5/8” vs. 1”– If less SQ fat, use smaller needle

Get Organized Get all supplies ready in advance

– ex: Band-Aid, alcohol pad, cotton ball, VIS

Double Check– Correct vaccine, dose, & expiration date– Go over screening/consent form with patient

Record– Vaccine name, manufacturer, lot number, expiration

date– Location of administration (L/R deltoid)– Provider administering the vaccine– Vaccine Information Sheet publication date

Administer the Vaccine Cleanse area with alcohol swab

– Allow alcohol to dry

Target – C technique and shoot (IM)– Bunch skin (SQ)

Inject – DO NOT Aspirate– Dart-like motion with steady pressure– Inject at:

• 90° angle for IM• 45° angle for SQ

Final Steps Do not recap needle Dispose of needle properly Apply pressure to injection site with cotton ball

(if necessary) Apply adhesive bandage Provide patient with immunization record &

Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) Record all necessary information Have patient remain under surveillance for

~15 minutes

Routes of Administration

Intramuscular (IM) Injections

Subcutaneous (SQ) Injections

Self-Injection Teaching:Insulin Advise patients to wash hands Have patient confirm type of insulin on bottle label Roll vial or pen in palms, if appropriate Show patients in counseling where to read dose on

syringe and appropriate amount to draw– Ensure using best syringe for dose Inject at 90° angle for SQ insulin Injecting into the subcutaneous fat of the belly most

common– Site should be approximately 2 inches from belly button Rotate sites – avoid formation of fatty deposits or scarring

Insulin Injection Sites Alternate sites include the back of the

arms, thighs, and buttocks– Slower onset with alternate sites

Self-Injection Teaching: Insulin Go over insulin storage

– Generally insulin not in use should not be stored in fridge

– Extreme temperatures and excess agitation should be avoided

Discard dates – Important to go over how long insulin can be

stored at room temperature Insulin inspection Mixing of Insulins Proper disposal of sharps

Self-Injection Teaching

Pen devices/ insulin cartridges:– Deliver insulin subcutaneously through a needle.– All a little different and might require extra

teaching time– In specific patient populations these devices

have been demonstrated to improve:• accuracy of administration • adherence

– Requires needle to be left embedded in skin for at least 5 seconds after plunger depressed

Managing Adverse Reactions

Vasovagal Syncope (Fainting) Be aware of patient behavior Have patient sit before

administration Lay patient down if necessary Check airway, breathing and vital

signs

Anaphylaxis

Rare but potentially fatal Occurs within 15 minutes Call 911 Lay patient down, check airway,

breathing, vital signs Be prepared and ready to administer

epinephrine (Epipen)

Delayed Adverse Reactions Child – fever, fussy, crying, injection

site Adult – injection site discomfort Symptomatic relief

– Fluids– Pain medications

• No aspirin for children• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Reporting Adverse Reactions Vaccine Adverse

Event Reporting System (VAERS)

Required for:- Rare, serious or unexpected events

Emergency Plan and Training Access to Emergency Medical

Services (EMS) – phone on hand Be prepared for adverse reactions

– CPR trained staff– Necessary medications on hand– Have patient remain under

surveillance after administration

Universal Precautions

Controlling Infection Transmission

Be Prepared

Control infection transmission– Use universal precautions

– Proper cleaning and disposal of waste Anticipate adverse effects

Assure patient safety– Know your equipment

– Establish quality procedures– Practice good technique

Protect Yourself:Use Universal Precautions Infection control guidelines

designed to protect workers from exposure to diseases spread by blood and certain body fluids

Assume all patients to be infectious for blood-borne diseases

Universal Precautions Apply To: Blood semen vaginal secretions synovial fluid

cerebrospinal fluid

pleural fluid peritoneal fluid pericardial fluid amniotic fluid

Universal precautions should be applied to all body fluids when it is difficult to identify the

specific body fluid or when body fluids are visibly contaminated with blood.

Universal Precautions DO NOT necessarily apply to: feces nasal secretions sputum sweat

tears urine vomit saliva (except in

the dental setting)

But, you must still be mindful of transmitting infectious material.

They may not carry blood-borne illness, but they do carry viruses and bacteria.

Universal Precautions

Wear gloves if likely to touch body substances or mucous membranes– Latex or non-latex– Monitor for allergies

Wear eye protection if likely to be splashed

Wear lab coat or gown if likely to be soiled

Universal Precautions Place needles in special

containers (Sharps Container)

Place soiled articles in plastic bag for disposal

Place soiled linen in laundry bag

Pharmacists Role

Pharmacist Role Dispensing versus administration Makes sense for:

– Vaccinations– Teaching patients to self-inject

• Insulin and glucagon• Increasing availability of self-injection

products– Allergic reactions, migraine, MS, infertility

Proper training required

Why are immunizations

so important? Profession:

– Establishes the role of the pharmacist Patients:

– Pharmacists are easily accessible Population:

– Preventing disease

For More Information APhA: Pharmacy-Based Immunization

Delivery Certificate Program – www.pharmacist.com

Center for Disease Control – Vaccines– http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System– http://vaers.hhs.gov