Discharge Instructions: Giving Yourself an Intramuscular (IM) Injection in the Hip

Your doctor has prescribed a medication that must be given by intramuscular (IM) injection. IM injections use a needle and syringe to deliver medication to large muscles in your body. They are usually given in the buttock, thigh, hip, or upper arm.

You were shown how to perform an IM injection in the hospital. If you did not receive an instruction sheet covering those general steps, ask for one. This sheet reminds you or your caregiver how to give yourself an IM injection in the hip, which is also called a ventrogluteal injection. It requires the help of another person.

Before You Begin

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after all IM injections.

• Prepare your medication as you were shown by your doctor or nurse.

Locate an Injection Site

Have another person locate an injection site on your hip by doing the following:

• Start by finding the area where the thighbone meets the hip. You will feel a bony ball-like area. Place the palm of your hand over this area.

• With your fingers pointing toward the ceiling, make a V with your ring finger and middle finger.

• Locate the center of the V at the area where your ring and middle fingers meet.

• The injection site will be at the point between the knuckles on your ring and middle fingers. This is where the needle will be inserted.

• Prepare the site as you were shown by your doctor or nurse. (See the general instruction sheet on giving yourself an IM injection. If you did not receive this sheet, ask for one.)

Inject the Medication

• Stretch the skin tight.

• Hold the syringe like a dart. Insert the needle at a right (90°) angle to your skin.

• Give no more than 3 ml (or cc) of medication in this site. If the prescribed dose is more than 3 ml, choose a different site in which to inject the medication.

• Dispose of the materials as you were shown by your doctor or nurse.

• Wash your hands.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.