title: Nurses' perceptions and satisfaction with the use of insulin pen devices compared with insulin vial and syringes in an inpatient setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to compare nurses' perceptions and satisfaction with the use of insulin pen devices versus vial and syringes for insulin delivery in an inpatient setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a descriptive design using self-report surveys. Nurses rated their perceptions on a 4-point Likert scale (from 1=strongly disagree to 4=strongly agree) on the ease of use, ease to teach patients, confidence and comfort in use, perceived time efficiency, safety of use, risk of needle sticks, and overall satisfaction and preference with use of each insulin delivery device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 139 (95%) nurses from nine nursing units at one hospital participated in this study. Compared with vial and syringe, nurses felt insulin pens were easier to use to measure insulin dose (mean±SD, 3.7±0.5 vs. 3.1±0.7; P<0.001), were easier to teach patients to use (3.5±0.6 vs. 2.8±0.7; P<0.001), provided more confidence in measuring insulin dose (3.7±0.5 vs. 3.4±0.6, P<0.001), saved on administration and preparation time (3.6±0.5 vs. 2.3±0.8; P<0.001), reduced the risk of giving a wrong dose of insulin (3.2±0.8 vs. 2.2±0.7; P<0.001), and reduced the risk of needle sticks (3.5±0.7 vs. 2.1±0.8; P<0.001). Overall, a majority of nurses preferred the use of insulin pens to vial and syringes in an inpatient setting (83% vs. 15%; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses felt more comfortable and confident with the use of insulin pens compared with vial and syringes and perceived insulin pens to be a safer alternative for both patients and themselves.
authors.affiliation: 1 Mercer University College of Pharmacy , Atlanta, Georgia .
authors.forename: Angela O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Shogbon
authors.forename: Dao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Bobby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Laura P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kimble
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005845:Georgia; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009726:Nurses; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin