Best practice guidelines for the administration of intramuscular injections in the mental health setting

ABSTRACT: Intramuscular injections are administered to mental health consumers in both the community and hospital settings. Medications delivered by the intramuscular route assist consumers to live in the community and enhance their ability to integrate and engage in community life. Although the practice of giving intramuscular injections is routine for mental health nurses, the process is invasive and best practice guidelines are not well developed. The aim of this study was to identify a best practice technique for the administration of intramuscular injections in the mental health setting based on: (i) the identification of 300 abstracts and a systematic review of 150 articles in the subject area; (ii) an evaluation of current practice of 93 nurses; and (iii) the use of the newly developed technique with 96 consumers. The findings add significantly to the knowledge base on administering intramuscular injections in the mental health setting. The identified best practice technique provides mental health nurses with evidence-based guidelines, thus ensuring that the medication administered by intramuscular injection provides the best possible outcomes for consumers.