Checklist
| Preparation | Wash – Name – Explain | |
| Check for allergies | ||
| Check prescription | ||
| Clean preparation surface | ||
| Gather equipment | Clean equipment tray | |
| Wash hands | ||
| Drug to be injected | ||
| Drawing up needle | ||
| 26-30G injection needle | ||
| Syringe | ||
| Cotton wool ball | ||
| Plaster | ||
| Safe sharps disposal | ||
| Draw up drug | Put on gloves | |
| Open ampoule | ||
| Draw up drug | ||
| Remove and dispose of drawing up needle | ||
| Attach injection needle and expel air | ||
| Remove gloves and dispose of waste | ||
| Subcutaneous injection | Wash hands and put on 2nd pair of gloves | |
| Select appropriate injection site | ||
| Pinch skin | ||
| Insert needle | ||
| Inject drug | ||
| Withdraw needle | ||
| Dispose of sharp safely | ||
| Apply cotton wool ball and pressure to injection site | ||
| Ensure haemostasis and apply plaster | ||
| Finishing | Dispose of all waste appropriately | |
| Wash hands | ||
| Sign prescription | ||
| Document injection in patient’s notes | ||
| Discuss aftercare |
Explanation
Preparation
Wash, name, explain:
- Wash your hands
- Introduce yourself by name and role
- Check the patient’s name and date of birth
- Explain the task and get consent
- Check whether the patient has any known allergies, e.g., to plasters, medication components
“Hello, I’m one of the doctors. I’ve been asked to give you an injection of medication which will be administered just below the skin of your lower abdomen. You will feel a sharp scratch, but it will be over very quickly. You can ask me to stop at any time. Would that be okay?”
Check the prescription, ensuring that the patient’s details match those of the patient on whom you intend to perform the procedure, and verify the presence of the prescriber’s signature. Take the prescription with you as a reference when gathering your equipment
Clean your preparation area, typically a clinical trolley, using an appropriate surface cleaning agent.
Gather Equipment
Clean an equipment tray and place it on your preparation surface. Wash your hands again after cleaning surfaces.
Gather the following equipment, placing it in your clean tray while ensuring that key parts remain protected:
- Drug to be injected – check this against the prescription and check the expiry date
- Drawing-up needle
- Injection needle – usually 26-20G needle
- Syringe – use the smallest syringe appropriate for the volume of liquid to be injected
- Cotton wool ball
- Plaster
- Safe sharps disposal e.g., sharps bin
Note that some subcutaneous injections e.g., low molecular weight heparin may come already drawn–up.
Draw Up Drug
Put on your first pair of gloves.
Open the ampoule containing the drug to be injected. Attach the drawing–up needle to the syringe, then draw up the drug. Retain the empty ampoule to record the batch number and expiry date in the patient’s notes later.
Dispose of the drawing–up needle safely and attach the injection needle to the syringe. All key parts are now protected. Expel any air bubbles in the syringe.
Remove the first pair of gloves and dispose of all waste appropriately.
Subcutaneous Injection
Return to the patient, wash your hands, and confirm that they are still willing to proceed. Put on your second pair of gloves.
Identify the injection site. Common sites include the lower abdomen or the outer thigh. Ensure the site is visibly clean and the overlying skin is not broken or inflamed.
Pinch a small area of skin and underlying tissue around the injection site with your non–dominant hand.
With your dominant hand, insert the needle into the injection site at a 45° angle to the skin. Gently advance the plunger on the syringe to inject the drug.
Withdraw the needle and release the surrounding skin. Cover the wound with a cotton wool swab and apply gentle pressure. You can ask the patient to apply pressure if they are able. Dispose of sharps immediately and safely.
Ensure pressure is applied until the site has stopped bleeding. This may take longer if the patient is taking anticoagulants. Once haemostasis has been established, cover the site with a plaster.
Finishing
Confirm that the patient is feeling well. Ensure that you sign the prescription to indicate that the injection has been given and document the injection site, batch number, and expiry date of the drug.
Inform the patient that there may be a small amount of redness and swelling at the injection site and it may be tender for 24-48 hours.
Dispose of all waste appropriately, clean your tray and trolley, and wash your hands.
Last updated April 2025
Head to members.zerotofinals.com for practice OSCE stations, including an interactive checklist, specific cases and clinical findings.
