title: Changing practice for safe insulin administration.
abstract: Insulin is a life-saving medication but, if wrongly administered, it can cause death or severe harm. Errors in insulin administration are common, including the inappropriate use of intravenous syringes. We surveyed all clinical areas in our trust to identify types of syringes and needles available and how these were stored and distinguished from IV syringes. Based on these results, we developed recommendations to promote safety and good practice and are standardising insulin syringes throughout the trust.
authors.affiliation: Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust, London.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009339:Needles / Q000592:standards; D009731:Nursing Audit; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D013594:Syringes / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin