The deltoid intramuscular injection site in the adult. Current practice among general practitioners and practice nurses.

A survey of 50 general practitioners and 50 practice nurses reviewed current practice in relation to intramuscular injections in the deltoid region of adults. The great majority of practitioners used the site for the intramuscular injection of vaccines and a wide range of other medications. The injection techniques employed by the two groups were similar. The great majority of respondents used either the middle one third or the upper half of the muscle. A significant minority of both groups used inappropriate depths of injection. Awareness of the structures which are at risk from injections in the region was poor in both groups. There is an urgent need to establish reliable protocols for the administration of safe, effective intramuscular injections at the deltoid site and to train practitioners in their use.