Best practice guidelines for the administration of intramuscular injections in the mental health setting.

Intramuscular injections are administered to mental health consumers in both the community and hospital settings. Medications delivered by the intramuscular route assist consumers to live in the community and enhance their ability to integrate and engage in community life. Although the practice of giving intramuscular injections is routine for mental health nurses, the process is invasive and best practice guidelines are not well developed.