What is Trauma?
 Trauma is a serious injury or shock to the body. It is caused by a physical force such as violence or an accident. The injury may be complicated by psychiatric, behavioral, and social factors.
It is critical to have an entire team immediately available to provide care to an injured patient 24-hours a day. This teamwork starts at the scene of the injury where a coordinated, statewide pre-hospital medical system rapidly transports the injured patient from the scene to the hospital providing the appropriate level of care according to criteria established in the statewide trauma regulations. Once at the hospital, a complete team of surgeons, emergency physicians and nurses continue the life-saving treatment.
This team approach to care of the injured patient has had a dramatic impact on saving lives.
Minimally Invasive Procedures for Massive Bleeding
Injuries take many forms. The most advanced hospitals can treat injuries with a variety of approaches that involve well-known ones, like surgery, and newer ones where minimally invasive procedures can replace some surgeries.
As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Hartford Hospital has Interventional Radiologists as part of the Trauma Team. They perform procedures such as "embolization" which is a recognized interventional radiology technique that is used to treat trauma patients with massive bleeding.
Click here to see some of the advanced interventional techniques available at Hartford Hospital.
Learn more about trauma, or search below to learn about other health conditions. |
Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor
DefinitionAn intramuscular (IM) injection is a shot. The needle goes into the muscle to deliver medicine. This is usually done by a doctor or nurse. Sometimes, your doctor may teach you to inject yourself. IM injections are deeper than subcutaneous injections (given under the skin). Reasons for ProcedureSome medicines are better absorbed when given in the muscle; if taken by mouth, they may not work. Other medicines may be given in the muscle if you are unable to take them by mouth. Some examples of medicines given using an IM injection: Possible ComplicationsComplications associated with IM injections are: - You may have some bleeding, soreness, or redness at the site.
- Allergic reaction to the medicine is possible. If you may be allergic to a medicine, do not inject it.
- Rarely, the site may become infected.
What to Expect- Make sure you have all of the items that you will need (such as syringe, medicine, and cleaning materials).
- Make sure that you have the right medicine and that it has not expired.
- Wash hands with warm, soapy water before giving the injection.
- Select a site for injection. This should be an area on your body with a large muscle (such as the thigh).
- Cleanse the area with an alcohol wipe.
To
inject yourself:
- Remove the needle cap.
- Smooth the skin with one hand.
- Hold the syringe the way you would a pencil. Insert the needle at a 90° angle to the skin. (The needle should be completely covered by skin).
-
Hold the syringe with one hand. With the other, pull back the plunger to check for blood in the syringe.
- If you see blood, do not inject.
Withdraw the needle and start again at a new site.
- If you do not see blood,
slowly press down on the plunger until it stops.
- Remove the needle from the skin.
- If there is bleeding at the site of injection, apply a bandage.
- Immediately put the syringe and needle into a container that is puncture-proof.
- Find out what services are available in your area for disposing of biological waste.
Depending on the medicine, there is usually some discomfort at the injection site. Soreness in the muscle is also common. Tips for minimizing pain include: - Inject medicine that is at room temperature.
- Remove all air bubbles from the syringe before the injection.
- Relax the muscles in the injection area.
- Quickly break through the skin.
- Do not change the direction of the needle as it goes in or comes out.
- Do not reuse disposable needles.
Follow your
doctor's instructions
for general care.
Call Your DoctorContact your doctor if any of the following occur: - Difficulty giving yourself the injection
- Continued bleeding at the injection site
- A lot of pain
- Medicine is injected into the wrong area
- Rash or swelling at the injection site
- Fever or allergic reaction develops
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.
Bielanowski DA.
Intramuscular injection.
Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health: Intramuscular Injection. BNet website. Available at:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gGENH/is_/ai_2699003418/pg_3. Accessed June 10, 2008.
Intramuscular injection (IM). Cincinnati Children's Hospital website. Available at:
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/medication/f-i/intramuscular-injection.htm. Updated September 2007. Accessed June 10, 2008.
Selecting, evaluating, and using sharps disposal containers website. US Health And Human Services website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/sharps1.html. Accessed October 14, 2005.
What are the different methods of drug delivery? Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center website. Available at:
http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/patient-corner/. Accessed June 10, 2008. Last reviewed September 2012 by Brian Randall, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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