Guidance for Medication Injections

Prep/Sanitize Clean the area where you are going to give your injection. Wash hands with soap & water. Things you will need for your injection;  Medication Sterile disposable syringe/needles Alcohol swab x2, bandaid, cotton ball Hard plastic resealable container to dispose of used needle/syringe	Filling the Syringe Clean the rubber stopper of the vial with an alcohol swab. Unwrap the needle & syringe, join them together tightly. Be sure you have 2 needles, one to draw (18g larger needle) & one to inject. (21-25 gauge needles) Put air into the syringe by pulling down on the plunger. With the vial upright, put the needle into the rubber stopper and push air into the bottle. Turn the vial upside down. Fill the syringe with the amount of medication you need. Turn the vial upright, remove your needle. Safely swap your needles out.
Injections Follow your prescription for if you need to inject SubQ or IM. Subq dose is: 0.01ml up to 0.5ml IM dose can be: 0.01 and up Switch sides each week. Clean your injection site with an alcohol swab, then let it dry.	Disposal Once the cap is safely on your needle you can place the needles and syringe into a hard sealable container OR a sharps container.  Dispose of any trash.  Keep your medication in a room temperature area.
Sub Q Injections Technique  Pinch skin (should be able to grab about 1 inch of tissue)  Insert needle at 45° angle Hold the syringe like a dart. The needle should pierce the skin quickly and gently.  Inject the medication slowly and steadily. Remove the needle in one smooth motion in the same angle it entered.  Press gently with gauze or a cotton ball.	IM Injections Technique  Stretch the skin flat and tight. Insert the needle straight in at a 90° angle. Hold the syringe like a dart. The needle should pierce the skin quickly and gently.  Inject the medication slowly and steadily. Remove the needle in one smooth motion in the same angle it entered. Press gently with gauze or a cotton ball.
	Common Locations used  for SubQ Injections
Common Locations used  for IM Injections
Injection Information *Harmony HRT offers Injection Training. If you need to get in for training, please schedule an appointment with our front office at 970-639-2677.