title: A comparison of two depot injection techniques.
abstract: In the study reported in this article, the researchers attempted to raise awareness among practitioners of the importance of intramuscular drug administration technique in reducing injection site complications following antipsychotic depot injections. They also aimed to improve and expand the scope of present practice by comparing the effect of two accepted techniques, the 'air bubble' and 'Z-track' on these complications, and demonstrate that the air bubbles technique is more effective in reducing seepage and causes less discomfort. A 'within subjects' design was used, and Likert scales for scoring subjective and objective assessment of complications were established and scored at each injection. The study showed that there was no significant difference between the effects of either technique.
authors.affiliation: Bracton Centre, Specialist Mental Health Service, Oxleas NHS Trust.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mac Gabhann
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations