subcutaneous injection

A subcutaneous injection is an injection that is given into the layer of fat under the skin. Unlike intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection promotes the most uniform distribution of the drug, therefore, this technique is used when administering vaccines and various drugs such as insulin. As a rule, each drug has detailed instructions on how exactly it should be introduced into the body. But, you can highlight the basic rules for subcutaneous injection, which will be suitable for all medicinal substances. Let's deal with this issue in more detail.

SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION TECHNIQUE

First of all, the nurse chooses the place where the medicine will be injected. In this case, it is necessary to rely on the type of drug and the condition of the patient's skin. Usually, a subcutaneous injection is given in the upper and middle ⅓ of the anterior outer surface of the thigh or upper arm. Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen (in front of the abdominal wall) and under the shoulder blades is also very common. These parts of the body are good for manipulation in that they allow you to grab parts of the skin and form a fold out of it, which reduces the risk of damage to nerve endings and blood vessels. The procedure itself is divided into 4 stages. Let's consider them.

STAGE 1: PREPARATION

First of all, the nurse prepares all the necessary supplies by laying them out on the table. What exactly is needed:

• alcohol wipes;
• cotton or gauze swab;
• sterile adhesive plaster;
• capacity for disposal of the syringe and napkins;
• a syringe pre-filled with a drug (with a cap on the needle).

In addition, before you make a subcutaneous injection, you need to carefully study the rules for storing the medicine in a syringe. If there is no data regarding the timing in the instructions, then the medicine must be taken no later than half an hour before it is injected under the skin. In the syringe, the substance should be stored at room temperature. Also, you do not need to shake the syringe (it all depends on the composition of the drug - certain substances in it may lose their properties when shaken).

STEP 2: DRUG CHECK

A trained and experienced health worker always pre-checks the administered medicine:

1. Name. Should match the one prescribed by the doctor.
2. Dosage. It must also comply with the doctor's prescription.
3. Expiration dates. Expired medicines are at least ineffective, and at most, they can cause serious harm to the patient's health.
4. Color and texture. Must match those indicated in the instructions. As a rule, preparations for subcutaneous injections are transparent and colorless.

In cases where the name and dose of the drug do not match the doctor's prescription or the substance has changed its color with consistency (a precipitate, turbidity, etc. has appeared in it), it should not be administered.

STEP 3: PREPARING THE NEEDLE SITE

As we already know, subcutaneous injections are usually performed in:
stomach (exception - a distance of 5 cm around the navel);
upper buttock;
the middle part of the outer or anterior region of the thigh;
back of the shoulder.

If the doctor insists on a specific injection site, then you need to follow his recommendations, since in this area the medicine can act as efficiently and quickly as possible.

The injection sites should always be carefully examined and, if they have redness, scars, indurations, damage, etc., other sites should be selected. Moreover, each new needle insertion is performed in a new place to eliminate the risk of scarring skin tissues. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the drug will be minimal, and its introduction under the skin is extremely painful and problematic.

STEP 4: PERFORMING THE INJECTION

The final stage, which the health worker carries out in the following sequence:

1. Thoroughly washes hands with soap and treats them with an alcohol-based disinfectant solution.
2. Tucks up parts of clothing that block access to the injection site.
3. He takes out an alcohol wipe from the package and, pressing it firmly, wipes the place on the skin where the needle will be inserted (it is necessary to start from the central part, gradually moving away from it).
4. Waits until dry and injects a syringe with medicine.

COMPLICATIONS AFTER SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

Although the procedure is quite simple and absolutely all medical staff are familiar with it, when performing a subcutaneous injection, there is always a risk that complications will arise. Consider their main types.

INFILTRATE

Infiltrate - a seal at the injection site of the needle, which is painful. The most common complication encountered during subcutaneous injections. An infiltrate can form in such cases:

• the injection was made in the part of the skin that has a seal that occurred during the injection earlier;
• an oily solution was used as an administered drug, which had to be preheated to a certain temperature;
• too much mixture was injected at a time (more than 5 ml.).

To get rid of the infiltrate, it is necessary to use special compresses and physiotherapy.

ABSCESS AND PHLEGMON

An abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues and always has clear boundaries. And phlegmon is the development of a purulent process in the spaces of cells (it has no clear boundaries). These complications after subcutaneous injection usually develop when the rules for decontaminating hands and skin are not followed, and in the absence of treatment for infiltrates.

NERVE DAMAGE

This complication develops when the needle is inserted into the wrong place. In this case, the nerves are damaged by the chemicals that make up the drug. So, if the accumulation of the active substance of the drug is located too close to the nerve trunk, disturbances may occur in it. As a result, they can lead to paresis and paralysis (partial). Such disorders should be treated exclusively by a competent doctor since the therapeutic tactics depend on the type, location, and nature of nerve damage.

SUBCUTANEOUS FAT ATROPHY

Atrophy of the subcutaneous fat layer - lipodystrophy, most often occurs when insulin is injected under the skin. The most common reasons:
the needle was inserted too often in the same place;
the drug being injected was at the wrong temperature.

To protect yourself from lipodystrophy, you just need to alternate the sites of the subcutaneous injection. And eliminating the foci of atrophy of the subcutaneous fat layer will help the introduction of novocaine, adrenaline, or sodium chloride under the skin.

ALLERGY

It manifests itself only in those patients who have individual intolerance to the substances that make up the drug. The most serious manifestation of allergy is Quincke's edema, which can threaten the patient's life.

EMBOLISM OF MEDICAL TYPE

A very rare, but extremely dangerous condition of the body. It occurs due to errors by health workers in the process of administering oily preparations. An embolism develops in cases where the drug enters the vessel. The condition is very serious and requires urgent medical attention. Drug embolism can be avoided by controlling the angle of the needle.

PRICES FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION IN SVITYAZ COMPLEX

Subcutaneous injection is one of the simplest procedures that are performed in our Svityaz health complex. Therefore, its cost is small but depends on the type of substance that is introduced into the body and any additional recommendations from doctors. Therefore, the final price will depend on various factors. To find out how much a subcutaneous injection costs in your case, please contact our manager.

REVIEWS ABOUT SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

In most cases, reviews of the procedure are positive. After all, we have qualified medical staff who know perfectly well how to avoid infiltration and other complications. Patients themselves note minimal pain during the introduction of the needle and the promptness of the procedure.