Take our free safe use of insulin e-learning module and check – before you inject insulin

• Right insulin – check the name.
• Right dose – check strength and how much insulin to give. Check the numbers very carefully.
• Right time – with food? At bedtime?

Right way – via syringe, pen or pump?  

Always ask the patient – show them the insulin and what you are about to do.

Insulin is a life saving drug. Learn how to prescribe and give it safely. Someone’s life is in your hands. Learn from these true stories.  

• Only give insulin in a syringe, pen or pump designed solely for insulin. Never use any other syringe or device.
• Never inject insulin if you have not been trained how to do so. If in doubt, ask.
• Patients on insulin usually know how to inject their own insulin – listen to the patient. In most cases, unless they are too ill or confused, the patient is the best person to inject their own insulin.
• Do you know your diabetes specialist team’s phone number? Check now.
• Do you know your pharmacist’s advice phone number? Check now.

Did you know?

• Approximately 4 in 10 inpatients with diabetes experience a medication error¹
• Since 2003 insulin errors have led to over 17,000 safety incidents²
• Insulin safety training is now a requirement for all those who prescribe, prepare, handle or administer insulin.²

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^{1 National Patient Safety Agency 2010 Rapid Response Report. 
2 National Diabetes Inpatient Audit 2010: bedside clinical data collected from 12,191 inpatients at 206 acute hospitals.}