Nurse satisfaction using insulin pens in hospitalized patients.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate nurse satisfaction using pen devices compared with vials/syringes to administer insulin to hospitalized patients with diabetes.



A quasi-experimental 1-group posttest only study design was utilized to distribute a satisfaction survey to 54 registered nurses in a community hospital after implementation of insulin pen devices from July 2005 to May 2006 on 2 medical-surgical floors. Nurses completed a voluntary, anonymous, self-administered, postassessment, investigator-developed survey asking about the number of years practiced as a nurse and experience administering insulin to patients. The survey also asked about insulin administration satisfaction questions comparing insulin pen devices to vials/syringes, and estimated time to teach patients to self-inject insulin using either delivery method during the study period.



In comparison to vials/syringes, the majority of nurses agreed that insulin pens were more convenient, simple and easy to use, and an overall improvement compared with conventional vials/syringes. There were no insulin-related needlestick injuries using the insulin pens and safety needles.



Nurses were satisfied with multiple aspects of insulin pens compared with vials/syringes. Implementation of insulin pen devices does not increase nursing time spent to teach patients to self-inject insulin and does not increase insulin-related needlestick injuries.
Davis
Estella M
EM
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (Dr Davis, Dr Destache)|Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center (Dr Davis, Ms Bebee, Ms Crawford)
Bebee
Anne
A
Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center (Dr Davis, Ms Bebee, Ms Crawford)
Crawford
Leaanne
L
Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center (Dr Davis, Ms Bebee, Ms Crawford)
Destache
Chris
C
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (Dr Davis, Dr Destache)
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003625:Data Collection; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009329:Nebraska; D009726:Nurses; D009732:Nursing Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin