To retrieve, evaluate and summarize the relevant evidence of subcutaneous injection in patients to reduce pain at the injection site, so as to provide reference for clinical practice.

According to the evidence pyramid "6S" model, all evidence on subcutaneous injection and injection site pain, including guidelines, expert consensus, summary of evidence, clinical decision, systematic review, etc were retrieved from domestic and international guideline networks and databases. The search period was from database establishment to October 2, 2022. The literature quality evaluation and evidence grading system of Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence-based Health Care Center was used to evaluate the literature quality and classify the evidence level.

A total of 12 articles were included, including 2 expert consensus, 6 systematic reviews, 2 best evidence summaries and 2 clinical guidelines. A total of 21 pieces of best evidence were summarized from 8 aspects, including pre-subcutaneous injection assessment, injection site, injection needle, injection position, injection method, precautions, personnel training and health education.

This study summarized a comprehensive and practical subcutaneous injection method. Clinical practitioners can use evidence to administer subcutaneous injection to patients, reduce pain and improve patients′ comfort.

Pain; Evidence-based medicine; Subcutaneous injection; Summary of evidence