Nearly 24 million people have diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). Managing this disease requires making lifestyle changes and administering necessary treatments consistently. For many, insulin injections are a common treatment. Traditionally, diabetes patients are required to administer insulin injections with a syringe. This process was often time-consuming and made it difficult to dispose of used needles safely. Although the insulin pen is a much quicker way to deliver injections proper training and education is still important to ensure proper administration.
Step 1
Confirm that the insulin pen is an appropriate method of treatment for the patient. Insulin dosages can vary by patient. The doctor should confirm that the patient will benefit from using the pen.
Step 2
Provide an overview of what steps the patient should take to use the insulin pen properly. Discuss what lifestyle changes, if any, the patient should implement to ensure that the administration of the pen is effective.
Step 3
Assist the patient with identifying sources of support (his doctor, someone on his doctor's medical staff, a pharmacist or other insulin pen user) for questions or issues that may come up. The patient should know what his resources are in advance so that if he encounters an issue with the pen or dosage or has an undesirable reaction, he can get help immediately.
Step 4
Advise the patient to read the specific instructions for his brand of insulin pen. Various brands generally operate similarly, but there may be slight differences. Instruct the patient to wash his hands with soap and water as well as the area where he intends to inject the insulin. Some people use an alcohol swab to cleanse the area. He should then remove the pen from its packaging (if he is using a disposable pen) or screw on a new needle (if he is using a reusable pen).
Step 5
Demonstrate for the patient how to dial in the appropriate dosage by turning the dial on the pen. Ask him to look at the amount of insulin that is in the actual medication cavity to ensure that the pen contains the correct amount of insulin. Tap the side of the pen gently to remove air bubbles.
Step 6
Ask the patient to choose an area and pinch a section of skin where he intends to inject the insulin. The patient should gently insert the needle under the skin, press the button at the end of the pen, count to five, release the skin and pull the pen out. If necessary, instruct the patient to clean the injection site with an alcohol pad or a cotton ball lightly saturated with isopropyl alcohol.
Step 7
Discuss the disposal of the pen (if disposable) or needle tip (if reusable) with the patient. He should obtain a Sharps container or approved disposal container.
Step 8
Advise the patient to monitor information on advances in insulin treatment or publications from the pen's manufacturer to stay informed on potential changes or defects. Should he find derogatory information, he should inform his doctor immediately.
Things You'll Need
- Soap and water
- Alcohol swab (optional)
- Insulin pen and needle tip
- Insulin supply
- Sharps container or approved disposal container
