Using Oxytocin in the
Uniject™ Injection System
for the Prevention of
Postpartum Hemorrhage
A Training Presentation for
Health Workers
Objectives
By the end of this presentation, participants will:
• Understand how to select safe and effective
oxytocin in the Uniject™ injection system (oxytocin
in Uniject).
• Understand how to administer injections using
oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to safely dispose of oxytocin in
Uniject.
• Complete practice injections with Uniject using
oranges.
™ Uniject
is a trademark of BD.
Overview of oxytocin in Uniject
•
Single use: Uniject is a single-use, disposable
injection device that contains one 10-IU dose of
oxytocin
•
Accurate: Uniject provides an accurate 10-IU
dose of oxytocin with minimal preparation and
waste.
•
Prefilled dose: Uniject can improve the ability
of midwives and village health workers to
administer oxytocin outside of hospitals.
•
Assurance of potency: A time-temperature
indicator (TTI) is included on the package to
inform the user whether the medication is still
active, should be used soon, or is inactive.
Key steps for using oxytocin in
Uniject
• Select a safe and effective dose
of oxytocin in Uniject using the
TTI.
• Remove the Uniject from the foil
pouch, activate the device, and
remove the needle cap.
• Give an intramuscular injection
using the Uniject device.
• Safely discard the Uniject
according to established
medical waste procedures.
Objectives
• Understand how to select a safe and
effective dose of oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to administer injections using
oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to safely dispose of oxytocin in
Uniject.
• Complete practice injections with Uniject using
oranges.
Using a TTI to select a safe and
effective dose of oxytocin in Uniject
• A TTI is a label made of heatsensitive material that is placed on
the oxytocin in Uniject package to
show cumulative heat exposure
over time.
• Check the TTI to see if the inner
square s lighter than the outer
circle. Discard the oxytocin in
Uniject if the inner square is the
same color or darker than the
outer circle.
Objectives
• Understand how to select a safe and effective
dose of oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to administer injections
using oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to safely dispose of oxytocin in
Uniject.
• Complete practice injections with Uniject using
oranges.
Using oxytocin in Uniject
• Open the foil pouch and remove the
Uniject device.
• Activate the Uniject device:
• Hold the Uniject by the port with the
forefinger and the thumb.
• With a firm, rapid movement pouch the
needle shield into the port.
• Listen for the click indicating the device
has been activated.
• Continue to push firmly until the gap
between the needle shield and port is
closed.
• Remove the needle cap.
Using oxytocin in Uniject
• Continue to hold the Uniject by
the port and insert the needle
into the patient.
• Squeeze the reservoir firmly to
inject the oxytocin.
• After the reservoir completely
collapses, remove the Uniject.
Objectives
• Understand how to select a safe and effective
dose of oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to administer injections using
oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to safely dispose of
oxytocin in Uniject.
• Complete practice injections with Uniject using
oranges.
Safe disposal of oxytocin in
Uniject
• Do not re-cap the device or
delay disposal
• Immediately after removing the
Uniject, safely dispose of it in a
sharps container.
Objectives
• Understand how to select a safe and effective
dose of oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to administer injections using
oxytocin in Uniject.
• Understand how to safely dispose of oxytocin in
Uniject.
• Complete practice injections with Uniject
using oranges.
Practice with Uniject
Quiz
• What is oxytocin in Uniject?
• How do you select a safe and effective dose of
oxytocin in Uniject?
• How do you give an injection with oxytocin in
Uniject?
• How do you safely dispose of oxytocin in
Uniject?
Questions?
Copyright © 2011, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). The material in this
document may be freely used for educational or noncommercial purposes, provided that the
material is accompanied by an acknowledgment line.