1. WHERE TO GIVE AN
INTRAMUSCULAR (IM)
INJECTION
Locating the ‘Safe Triangle’ for Deltoid Injection Site
AUGUST
22ND 2015

2. Welcome
 As your trainer I am available for any
queries or support you require to
successfully complete this training
session.

3. Housekeeping

4. Introduction
 Supervising Pharmacist for Llyod’s
Pharmacy Group
 Working in pharmacy for the past 12
years
 Previously acted as a Tutor
Pharmacist
 Currently studying Pharmacy
Leadership and Management
through the IPU

5. Learner Resources
 Learner Hand-outs
 -Contain today’s session material
 -Extra information to read after completion of
today’s training session
 -Homework questions to aid recall and self-
assessment
 -Also contain recommendation regarding extra
visual material e.g. video link

6. Our Learning Outcomes
 By the end of this Training Session you
will be able to:
 Identify the three main IM injection sites
 Locate the ‘Safe Triangle’ for IM injection
 Demonstrate the location of the ‘Safe
Triangle’

7. The Three Main IM Injection Sites
An intramuscular (IM) injection is
a shot of medicine given into a
muscle.
Main locations are the upper arm,
hip and thigh.
The Deltoid Muscle is the primary
site used.
Certain medicines need to be given
into the muscle for them to work
correctly e.g. flu vaccine.

8. Locating the Safe Triangle – 3
STEPS
 STEP 1:
 Completely expose the upper arm.
 You will give the injection in the centre of an
upside down triangle.
 It is important to visualise this ‘Safe Triangle’
on the patient’s upper arm.

9. Locating the Safe Triangle
 STEP 2:
 Using your dominant hand, feel for the bone that
goes across the top of the upper arm.
 This bone is called the acromion process and
forms point (A).
 Place your two fore fingers below point A.
 This will form the base of the triangle.

10. Safe Triangle – Point A

11. Locating the Safe Triangle
 STEP 3:
 The point of the triangle, point (B), is
directly below the middle of the base at
the level of the axilla or armpit.
 Using your dominant hand form an upside
down triangle.
 The correct area to give an injection is in
the centre of this triangle.

12. Safe Triangle – Point B

13. Let’s try that once again-Key
Points!!
 Find your acromion process – Point A.
 Place two fore fingers underneath Point A.
 Locate Point B – Trace from your front axilla
around the upper arm stopping half way.
 Using your ‘dominant hand’ form an upside
down triangle.
 The centre of the triangle will be the injection
site.

14. The D.A.A.B Process
 D – Dominant Hand
 A – Acromion Process – Point (A)
 A – Axilla
 B – Point (B)

15. Group Participation – Testing
Knowledge & Skill
 Let’s Practice together - Apply what you
have learned!!!
 Pair up quickly and identify the ‘Safe
Triangle’ for IM injection.
 Let’s do it Step by Step – 3 main steps.
 Imitate the trainer!!!

16. Questions for me?
 Feel free to ask your trainer any
questions!!!

17. Conclusion
 You have now all successfully located
and demonstrated the ‘Safe Triangle’ for
IM injection at the Deltoid site.
 Well done!!! – you have met all of your
learning outcomes for today’s training
session!!!

18. Thank you!!!
 Thank you all for participating in today’s
training session – Where to give an IM
injection – Locating the ‘Safe Triangle’ for
IM injection at the Deltoid site.
 I hope you all have gained from today’s
session and are going home with new
knowledge that can be further developed in
the future.

19. Questionnaire
 Was the content engaging and useful?
 Were the materials useful and relevant?
 Were the objectives met in the course?
 Was the trainer effective in communicating the
lesson?
 Was the trainer able to motivate the group?
 Was the time properly managed?
 What is your overall rating?