Step-by-step guide to using the Spasilen Standard auto-injector
Intended use of the “Spasilen” medical device:
for intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of a pre-drawn injectable medication using standard disposable syringes with a volume of 3 ml and 5 ml.
Indications for use:
The need to administer medications intramuscularly or subcutaneously at home by users, including those without medical education or sufficient qualifications.
Contraindications for use:
- Damaged skin at the injection site, including the presence of infiltrates and hematomas at the injection sites;
- The patient having severe cognitive impairments;
- Alcohol or drug intoxication of the user.
Video instructions for performing injections using “Spasilen”
Preparing for the injection
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them.
Prepare the following materials:
- A disposable 3 ml or 5 ml syringe with a needle;
- An ampoule or vial with the medication;
- 2–3 alcohol wipes;
Drawing up the medication
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them.
- Treat your hands with an antiseptic.
- Use an alcohol wipe to clean the surface of the ampoule or vial containing the medication.
- Break off the tip of the ampoule, or remove the protective cap and the aluminum tab in the center of the vial lid.
Drawing up the medication
- Carefully, without compromising sterility, insert the needle with the syringe into the ampoule or vial and fill the syringe with the solution, slowly pulling back the plunger.
- Holding the syringe with the needle pointing up, expel the air bubbles from the syringe and make sure no air remains in the syringe.
- Put the protective cap back on the needle.
Choosing and preparing the injection site
To choose injection sites, we recommend consulting your attending physician.
The injection site must be free of infections, skin lesions, scars, birthmarks, bony prominences, large blood vessels, or nerves.
Thoroughly clean a large area of skin at the chosen injection site with an alcohol wipe.
We covered self-administration of injections in more detail in the article:
Sites for intramuscular injections
For your convenience, we have prepared a special calculator:
The following body sites are suitable for performing intramuscular injections:
- the gluteus maximus muscle,
- the vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh,
- the rectus femoris muscle,
- the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
Gluteal region, gluteus maximus muscle (upper outer quadrant of the buttock)
To identify this area, draw an imaginary horizontal line from the start of the gluteal cleft to the greater trochanter of the femur. Then draw another imaginary line vertically through the middle of the previous one; the upper outer quadrant of the buttock will be located at the top.
Vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh and rectus femoris muscle
In adults, the injection sites in the vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh are determined as follows: one hand’s width (of an average person) below the greater trochanter toward the front surface of the thigh, and one hand’s width above the knee, in the middle third of the quadriceps femoris muscle. The rectus femoris muscle is located in the middle third of the front surface of the thigh.
- Volume of medication administered: from 1 to 5 ml.
- Needle insertion depth: depending on the patient’s muscle mass, typically from 15 to 25 mm, but no more than 35 mm.
Sites for subcutaneous injections
The following anatomical areas are suitable for performing subcutaneous injections:
- the lateral surfaces of the upper arm and thigh;
- the umbilical region of the abdomen.
Volume of medication administered: up to 1 ml. Needle insertion depth: from 4 mm to 15 mm.
Administering the medication using SPASILEN
Step 1
a. Make sure the required cartridge (3 ml or 5 ml) is installed in the injector. If necessary, replace the cartridge in the injector.
b. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the outer surfaces of the injector and the needle cap remover.
Step 2
a. Cock the plunger pusher upward as far as it will go.
b. Cock the lifter downward as far as it will go for an intramuscular injection, or until the first click for a subcutaneous injection.
Step 3
a. Insert the filled syringe into the injector.
b. Close the injector body with the lid.
c. Insert the needle cap remover until it clicks.
Step 4
a. Wipe the end of the injector that contacts the injection site with an alcohol wipe, without removing the needle cap remover;
b. Remove the protective cap from the needle using the cap remover, without touching the injector with your fingers;
c. Treat the injection site with at least two wipes or cotton balls soaked in antiseptic solution.
Step 5
a. Press the injector against the intended injection site at a right angle (90°) from the safety-catch side.
b. Press the trigger button. The trigger button will not activate if the injector is not pressed firmly enough against the injection site.
c. After the trigger button is pressed, the needle insertion mechanism will activate (first click). The medication will then be delivered. Next, the needle retraction mechanism will activate (second click). The injection is complete.
d. Press a wipe or cotton ball soaked in antiseptic solution against the injection site. Without lifting your hand, lightly massage the site where the medication was administered.
Step 6
a. Open the injector body, remove the syringe, and put the protective cap on the needle. Dispose of all used disposable consumables according to their safety class.
b. After the injection, the injector must be rinsed with hot running water. Then dry it by simply leaving it out in the air for a couple of hours (do not put it back in its case).
c. Treat all surfaces of the injector with an alcohol solution or an alcohol wipe. The injector is ready for the next procedure.
Still have questions?
- Get a free consultation from a qualified nurse. She will tell you about the capabilities of the Spasilen automatic injector and answer your questions.
- Our consultation is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 (Moscow time).
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