Video on subcutaneous injection methods and sites
Apr 14, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Subcutaneous injection mainly delivers medication into the subcutaneous tissue, with common injection sites including the upper arm and buttocks. The injection must be performed by trained healthcare professionals. Taking the upper arm as an example, the procedure is as follows: 1. Instruct the patient to roll up their sleeve to expose the injection site, perform routine disinfection, allow it to air dry or wipe with a sterile cotton ball.
Subcutaneous injection mainly delivers medication into the subcutaneous tissue, with common injection sites being the upper arms and buttocks. The procedure must be performed by trained medical personnel. Taking the upper arm as an example, the steps are as follows:
1. Instruct the patient to roll up their sleeve and expose the injection site. Perform routine disinfection of the skin and allow it to air dry or wipe with a sterile cotton ball.
2. After the skin is dry, instruct the patient to stretch the skin taut. The injector should stabilize the needle hub with the index finger, inserting the needle at a 30°–40° angle to the skin. If the patient is very thin, pinch up the skin at the injection site and reduce the insertion angle accordingly.
3. Insert the needle directly to a depth of one-half to two-thirds of its length. Aspirate by pulling back on the plunger; if no blood returns, slowly inject the medication.
4. After completing the injection, withdraw the needle along the same angle of insertion, and immediately apply pressure with a cotton swab at the puncture site to stop bleeding.
Patients receiving long-term subcutaneous injections should rotate injection sites each time to prevent local induration and ensure consistent drug absorption.
