Diabetes : General rules (BD Medical - Diabetes Care)

  
 

Reusable insulin pen
Preloaded insulin pen
General rules

Whatever the insulin pen chosen (reusable or disposable), there are general rules for all insulin pens:
Check that there is sufficient insulin in the cartridge and that it is the right insulin for the injection.

If the pen contains NPH or pre-mixed insulin, gently tip or roll the pen between the palms of the hands at least 20 times prior to injection, to ensure insulin resuspension.
   

Before mixing
   

After 7 cycles of mixing
   

After 20 cycles of mixing
This will ensure that the insulin combination injected will have the expected effect and control the blood glucose level for the required length of time.

For maximum injection comfort and safety, use a new sterile needle for each injection.
   
It is advisable not to inject through clothes for the following reasons:-

  • It is difficult to perform a correct lifted skin fold when injecting through clothes.
  • Clothing fabric can remove the lubricant and can damage the needle tip, which increases pain and discomfort when injecting.
  • It is not possible to inspect the injection site for bleeding, insulin leakage or infection.

Check the insulin flow from the needle before each injection: dial 2 to 3 units and by holding the pen vertically, needle up, slowly depress the button.

Check that a drop of insulin appears at the end of the needle, if no drop appears repeat the whole procedure.
Whatever the insulin device used, reuse leads to tip damage and loss of lubricant. This will increase pain and discomfort during the injection.

In some cases, excessive reuse may lead to the tip of the needle or the needle as a whole being broken off, leaving embedded fragments at injection sites.

After injecting the insulin, maintain the pressure on the injection button for a minimum of 10 seconds before removing the needle from the skin. This allows the last drops of insulin to be fully injected.

Remove the needle after use by clipping it off and/or putting it in a suitable sealable container. Follow local disposal guidelines where applicable.

Keeping a pen needle on an insulin pen leaves an open passage to the insulin. It is therefore important to remove the needle after each injection and to attach a new needle just before the next injection. This prevents air entry into the cartridge, insulin leakage out of the cartridge and clogging of the needle.
   
Since June 1998, all medical devices legally available in the United Kingdom and Europe must bear the CE Mark. If you are offered insulin syringes or insulin pen needles that do not carry this symbol, you should refuse them.
This symbol appears on all packaging, which contain sterile single use products. It means that the product must not be used more than once.
   

Note: It is advisable to know how to use an insulin syringe in case the pen is accidentally damaged or lost.