An evaluation of the effectiveness of a planned training program for nurses on administering intramuscular injections into the ventrogluteal site

Abstract

Background: Nurses commonly use the dorsogluteal area for administering intramuscular injections. Since the dorsogluteal area has the potential of leading to serious complications, the ventrogluteal area is recommended as the best alternative. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the level of knowledge nurses have about the ventrogluteal site and the effects of the training provided in this context. Method and design: The study was of quasi-experimental design with a single group based on a pre-test/post-test time sequence and was conducted with 81 nurses who consented to participate in the research at a University Hospital. Data in the research were collected with a questionnaire on the identifying features of the nurses and a questionnaire that contained statements about the ventrogluteal area. Results: The results of the study revealed that before the training, 76.5% of the nurses most commonly used the dorsogluteal area and 7.4% the ventrogluteal region. Four months after the training, however, it was found that the rate of nurses using the dorsogluteal area had fallen (48.1%) while the rate of using the ventrogluteal site rose (34.6%). It was seen that there was a significant difference between the nurses' pre-training and post-training knowledge scores and their scores four months after the training. Conclusion: It was concluded that the training offered the nurses about the ventrogluteal area had a positive impact on their knowledge and practices and that the nurses came away from the training with raised awareness about the subject and in increased level of knowledge. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.