title: How inaccurate is insulin mixing? Patient variability and syringe dead space effect.
abstract: One hundred diabetics were investigated for the accuracy and reproducibility with which they delivered a mixture of insulins. In contrast with previous reports, 80 patients delivered their total dose with a bias less than 5% from the prescribed dose and 87 with a CV less than 5%. There was little deterioration with age. The proportions of short- and intermediate-acting insulin prescribed were also delivered with commendable skill. In a separate study, syringe dead space was shown to incur a potential financial loss through insulin wastage, as well as affecting the proportions of short- and intermediate-acting insulins delivered.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012646:Self Administration; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin