Procedures used to prepare and administer intramuscular injections: a study of infertility nurses

To describe the procedures infertility nurses use to prepare and administer intramuscular injections of fertility medications.

Descriptive survey.

Nurses listed as members of the Nurses Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (N = 645) were surveyed. Completed questionnaires were returned by 219 of the nurses.

Volume of diluent, needle selection, site selection, internal rotation of the extremity distal to the injection site, and use of the z-track technique.

There was wide variation in the gauge and length of needles used to administer the medications, with most nurses using a 22 g, 1-1/2-in needle for all medications. Most nurses changed the needle between preparing and administering medications; however, filter needles were seldom used. There was wide variation in the volume of diluent used to reconstitute medications. Most of the nurses used the dorsogluteal site for injections. Although almost all of the nurses indicated that they routinely rotated injection sites, they infrequently used sites other that the dorsogluteal site. Most nurses did not rotate the extremity distal to the injection site when administering injections and even fewer used the z-track technique.

This study demonstrated wide variation in the procedures used by infertility nurses to prepare and administer intramuscular injections of fertility medications. Many nurses did not use procedures that can reduce the pain and tissue trauma associated with intramuscular injections.