How to keep an injection site rotation log
An injection site rotation log is a dated list of where each injection went, written as area + side, for example "abdomen, left" or "thigh, right". Recording the site with every dose means you never have to remember where the last few went, and you can see at a glance which areas are overdue a rest.
People who inject regularly are generally advised by their clinicians to rotate sites rather than use the same spot each time. The pattern you follow should come from the professional looking after you. This guide covers the record keeping.
Use the same names every time
A log only works if "left thigh" always means the same place. Pick a short naming scheme and stick to it.
| Area | Sides | Example entry |
|---|---|---|
| Abdomen | Left, right | Abdomen, left |
| Thigh | Left, right | Thigh, right |
| Upper arm | Left, right | Upper arm, left |
| Glute or hip | Left, right | Glute, right |
Only use the areas your clinician has told you are appropriate for what you are taking.
Record the site with the dose, not separately
A separate site list drifts out of step with the dose log within a week. Record the site as one field of the dose entry so the two can never disagree.
An example week:
| Date | Dose | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 250 mcg | Abdomen, left |
| Tue | 250 mcg | Abdomen, right |
| Wed | 250 mcg | Thigh, left |
| Thu | 250 mcg | Thigh, right |
| Fri | 250 mcg | Abdomen, left |
Note anything you see at the site
If there is redness, a lump, bruising or soreness, write it on that entry. A pattern across several entries at the same site is worth showing your clinician, and you will only spot it if it is written down.
Look back before you pick the next site
The point of the log is the look-back. Before each injection, check the last several entries and choose a site that has had a rest, following the pattern you were given.
Doing it on a body map
Text entries work, but a picture is faster. PepVault's injection site tracker shows a front and back body map: tap the site you used and it is saved with the dose. Your history then lists the site beside every entry, and a Suggest button proposes one for you.
Common questions
How many sites do I need?
That depends on what you are taking and how often, and it is a question for your clinician. The log's job is to show which ones you have actually used.
Do I need to log the site for a once-weekly injection?
It is arguably more useful then. A week is long enough to forget which side you used last time.
What if I notice a lump or a mark that does not go away?
Record it and speak to your healthcare professional.
This guide is about record keeping and unit arithmetic. It is not medical advice. See the medical disclaimer.
