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Locating the Ventrogluteal Injection Site (preferred site)
The ventrogluteal injection site is now the preferred injection site as its associated with a lower risk of neurovascular damage and the site consistently provides a thick muscle mass and less subcutaneous tissue.
Patient to assume a sideline position if possible.
Place the palm of your hand over the greater trochanter of the patient’s hip, with your index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine and the middle finger pointing towards the iliac crest.
Use your right hand on the patient’s left hip, and your left hand on the person’s right hip, ensuring your thumb is pointing anteriorly (“no thumb to bum”).
Extend your index finger to touch the anterior superior iliac crest and point your middle finger towards the iliac crest to form a V-shape. Insert the needle between your index and middle fingers (i.e. within the V-shape).
Locating the Dorsogluteal Injection Site: (alternative site)
(upper outer quadrant of the buttock)
Locate the greater trochanter of femur and the posterior superior iliac spine.
Visualise a diagonal line between these two locations, the injection site is located in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, approximately 5-8cm below the iliac crest.