Download Dalteparin Administration - Western Sussex Hospitals

Maternity Information Leaflet
Instructions for giving your
Dalteparin injection
Version 1
How to inject Dalteparin
You have been prescribed Dalteparin injections, and this information explains how to
give yourself this injection. It is a simple process and one that you can do at home.
Dalteparin is given by a small injection under the skin. You should inject (or give) the
dose of Dalteparin at the time recommended by your health professional. Please follow
the steps explained below:
-Get the single dose Dalteparin syringe and the yellow sharps bin.
-Wash and dry your hands.
-The injection site should be cleaned with soap and water, then dried.
Please note that if someone else is doing the injecting, they must wash and dry their
hands.
Step 1:
Sit yourself in a comfortable position.
Step 2:
Choose an injection site on the outer aspects of either your left or right thigh. It is
important that you change the injection site each time.
Step 3:
Pick up the syringe, grasp the tip of the plastic needle catcher and bend it away from
the shield. Remove the grey rubber cover by pulling it straight off. You will notice an air
bubble in the syringe. It is supposed to be there and you can just ignore it. It is
important not to press the plunger just yet as some of the medicine may be lost.
Step 4:
Hold the syringe in one hand and with the other hand; gently pinch a fold of skin with
its fatty tissue between your thumb and index finger. This will be the injection site.
Step 5:
Hold the syringe above the folded skin keeping it at a right angle (i.e. vertically). Insert
the needle into the skin until the needle is fully inserted (see picture on next page).
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Step 6:
Now press the plunger and inject the Dalteparin slowly until all of the medicine has
been injected. Keep pinching the fold of skin while you are injecting and then release
the fold of skin and pull the needle out.
If there is any oozing of blood at the injection site, apply gentle pressure using a clean
tissue. Do not rub the injection site as this may encourage bruising.
Step 7:
Place the plastic catcher against a hard stable surface and with one hand pivot the
syringe barrel upwards against the needle forcing the needle into the catcher where it
locks in place. Continue bending the needle until the syringe exceeds a 45 degree angle
with the flat surface to render it permanently unusable.
Dispose of the syringe in the yellow sharps bin provided. Keep your sharps bin out of
reach of other people. When the sharps bin is almost full please speak to your health
professional to arrange disposal and replacement.
If you have any questions, please ask your midwife. Please also read the information
leaflet contained within your medication box.
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Further Information
NHS Choices Website — www.nhs.uk
National Institute for Clinical Excellence — www.nice.org.uk
Contact details:
St Richard’s Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester,
West Sussex, PO19 6SE
Labour ward:
Antenatal Clinic:
01243 831433
01243 788122 ext. 2871
Worthing Hospital, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing
West Sussex, BN11 2DH
Labour Ward:
Antenatal Clinic:
01903 285138
01903 205111 ext. 84371
We are committed to making our publications as accessible
as possible. If you need this document in an alternative format,
for example, large print, Braille or a language other than
English, please contact the Communications Office by:
email: [email protected]
Or by calling 01903 205 111 ext 84038.
www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk
Department: Maternity
Issue date: 23rd July 2014
Review date: April 2017
Author: CNST Midwife
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