Why 21G × 1" with PrecisionGlide Technology for Versatile Clinical Applications

The 21-gauge needle (0.8mm outer diameter) provides the larger bore necessary for viscous medications, oil-based formulations, and blood draws where adequate flow rate is essential—the wider lumen significantly reduces injection time and pressure required compared to smaller gauges while maintaining appropriate patient comfort for routine procedures. The 1-inch (25mm) length represents the standard for most intramuscular injections in the deltoid muscle of average-sized adults, appropriate for deep subcutaneous injections, and ideal for venipuncture—making this gauge-length combination one of the most versatile and commonly stocked needles in clinical settings across multiple specialties. BD's PrecisionGlide technology features triple-sharpened bevels with precision-engineered angles that reduce insertion force despite the larger diameter, minimizing tissue trauma and improving patient comfort, while the thin-wall cannula design optimizes internal diameter to provide superior flow rates without further increasing gauge size.

Key Features & Benefits

Key Features:

• 21-gauge (21G) needle with 0.8mm outer diameter for viscous medications
• 1-inch (25mm) length for standard IM injections and venipuncture
• PrecisionGlide technology with triple-sharpened bevel
• Thin-wall cannula construction for optimized flow rate
• High-quality stainless steel for consistent sharpness
• Color-coded hub (green for 21G per ISO standards)
• Transparent hub for blood flashback visualization
• Compatible with Luer Lock and Luer Slip syringes
• Electropolished surface reduces friction during insertion
• Sterile, individually packaged in rigid protective shields
• Box of 100 needles for clinical inventory management
• Latex-free construction for allergy safety
• Single-use, disposable design
• Meets USP and ISO international quality standards
• Manufactured by BD (trusted global medical device leader)

Benefits:

• Larger bore accommodates viscous medications without excessive force
• Standard length appropriate for most adult IM injections
• Faster flow rate reduces injection and blood draw time
• PrecisionGlide technology maintains smooth penetration
• Triple-sharpened bevel minimizes tissue trauma
• Compatible with multiple syringe types
• Color-coded hub enables quick gauge identification
• Clear hub allows blood return visualization
• Sterile packaging ensures infection control
• Latex-free protects sensitive patients and staff
• Reliable BD quality with consistent performance
• Cost-effective bulk packaging for clinical use

Clinical Applications

BD PrecisionGlide 21G × 1" hypodermic needles are appropriate for:

✓ Intramuscular injections in deltoid muscle (average adults) ✓ Venipuncture for blood sample collection ✓ Phlebotomy for laboratory specimens ✓ Viscous medication administration (oil-based, thick suspensions) ✓ Vaccine administration requiring IM route ✓ Antibiotic IM administration (non-viscous formulations) ✓ Vitamin B12 injections (aqueous formulations) ✓ Hormone therapy injections (water-based formulations) ✓ Drawing medications from vials ✓ Medication reconstitution and preparation ✓ Subcutaneous injections (deep, patients with adequate tissue) ✓ Allergy immunotherapy injections ✓ IV medication preparation ✓ Blood donation and collection ✓ Therapeutic phlebotomy ✓ Emergency medication administration ✓ General clinical procedures requiring mid-range gauge

Usage & Application

Pre-Use Preparation:

1. Verify clinical indication:
   • Confirm medication order or procedure
   • Check patient allergies
   • Perform "5 Rights" verification
2. Assess gauge-length appropriateness:
   • 21G advantages:
     • Accommodates most medications including moderately viscous
     • Good flow for blood draws
     • Versatile for IM and venipuncture
   • 1" length appropriate for:
     • Deltoid IM in average adults
     • Venipuncture (antecubital veins)
     • Deep SubQ in patients with adequate adipose tissue
     • Most routine injections
3. Gather supplies:
   • BD PrecisionGlide 21G × 1" needle
   • Appropriate syringe
   • Medication or blood collection tubes
   • Alcohol swabs
   • Clean gloves
   • Gauze pads
   • Adhesive bandage
   • Sharps container
4. Hand hygiene and don gloves
5. Inspect needle package:
   • Check shield integrity
   • Verify expiration date
   • Discard if damaged

Attaching Needle to Syringe:

For Luer Lock:

• Align threads, twist clockwise until secure
• Verify tight connection

For Luer Slip:

• Push straight onto tip with firm pressure
• Ensure fully seated

Drawing Medication:

1. From vials:
   • Clean stopper with alcohol
   • Inject air equal to dose
   • Invert, withdraw medication
   • Remove air bubbles, verify dose
2. From ampules:
   • Break ampule carefully
   • Draw medication
   • Replace needle before injection (prevents glass particles)

Intramuscular Injection (Deltoid):

1. Position patient:
   • Sitting or standing
   • Arm relaxed
   • Expose upper arm
2. Locate site:
   • 2-3 finger widths below acromion
   • Thickest part of deltoid
3. Clean site:
   • Alcohol swab in circular motion
   • Allow to dry 30 seconds
4. Stretch skin taut:
   • Pull skin tight (do not pinch for IM)
5. Insert needle:
   • 90-degree angle
   • Quick, smooth motion
   • Insert to full 1" depth (to hub or near-hub)
6. Aspirate per protocol:
   • Check for blood return
   • If blood: withdraw, discard, new injection
   • If no blood: proceed
7. Inject medication:
   • Slow, steady pressure
   • Typical rate: 1 mL per 10 seconds
8. Withdraw and apply pressure:
   • Pull straight out quickly
   • Apply gauze
   • Massage gently (unless contraindicated)

Venipuncture (Blood Draw):

1. Apply tourniquet:
   • 3-4 inches above puncture site
   • Not too tight (can still palpate pulse)
2. Select vein:
   • Palpate for bouncy, resilient vein
   • Antecubital fossa most common
3. Clean site:
   • Alcohol swab
   • Allow to dry
4. Anchor vein:
   • Pull skin taut below site
5. Insert needle:
   • Bevel up
   • 15-30 degree angle
   • Advance until flashback in hub
6. Release tourniquet:
   • Once blood flowing
7. Collect sample:
   • Fill appropriate tubes
8. Remove needle:
   • Place gauze
   • Withdraw quickly
   • Apply firm pressure 2-5 minutes

Post-Procedure:

1. Do not recap
2. Dispose in sharps container
3. Remove gloves, hand hygiene
4. Document procedure
5. Monitor patient

Special Considerations:

• Average adults: 1" ideal for deltoid IM
• Obese patients: May need 1.25"-1.5" for deep IM sites
• Thin patients: 1" adequate, avoid going too deep
• Anticoagulated: Apply pressure longer, monitor for hematoma
• Viscous medications: Use slow, steady pressure
• Blood draws: Provides good flow rate with minimal hemolysis

Technical Specifications

Product Details:

• Manufacturer: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
• Product Line: PrecisionGlide™
• Needle Gauge: 21G (0.8mm outer diameter)
• Needle Length: 1 inch (25mm)
• Bevel Type: Regular bevel with PrecisionGlide technology
• Bevel Features: Triple-sharpened edges, precision-engineered angle
• Cannula Material: Surgical-grade stainless steel
• Cannula Type: Thin-wall construction for optimized flow
• Surface Treatment: Electropolished for reduced friction
• Hub Color: Green (per ISO 6009 color coding for 21G)
• Hub Material: Medical-grade polypropylene
• Hub Type: Transparent for blood flashback visualization
• Connection Type: Universal hub compatible with Luer Lock and Luer Slip syringes
• Sterility: Sterile, individually packaged
• Sterilization Method: Ethylene oxide (EtO) or gamma radiation
• Latex Content: Latex-free (no natural rubber latex)
• DEHP-Free: Yes
• Expiration: Typically 5 years from manufacture
• Packaging: Box of 100 individually packaged needles
• Intended Use: Intramuscular injection, venipuncture, blood draws
• Patient Population: Adults, adolescents
• Regulatory Status: FDA-cleared medical device, Class II
• Standards Compliance:
  • ISO 7864 (sterile hypodermic single-use needles)
  • ISO 9626 (stainless steel needle tubing)
  • ISO 6009 (needle color coding)
  • USP standards for sharpness and sterility