For any diabetic, administering the right amount of insulin is necessary to keep the disease under control. Thanks to the availability of products such as Insulin Pen and Needles such as the ones provided by HMD, a person with diabetes can self administer the right amount of insulin without any assistance. While administering insulin is easy using pen needles is easy, an important aspect that takes the backseat amongst all is following the proper injection techniques. It is critical to educate patients and caregivers about the correct injection of insulin through a syringe or pen. So, in this blog, we will discuss some best practices that you need to follow when using an Insulin pen and needle.
Prep Before Injecting
Make sure the insulin is kept unopened and refrigerated, before injection. Do not freeze it. There should be no cloudiness, floaters or discolouration in the insulin. Also, choose the right needle for insulin injection. A pen needle is very fine, thus better for insulin injection. A pen needle comes with a separate disposable needle screwed onto a pen. HMD offers Dispovan pen needles that are 4 and 12.7 millimeters in length. Avoid using too thin needles as improper procedures can lead to accidental muscle injury.
Best Practices to Using Insulin Pen Needle
- The area you use to put the pen needle on should have a minimum of ½’-1” of pinchable thickness. Do not inject in areas with too little fat such as the top of the thigh or deltoid
- The absorption rate is the same in all locations for new types of insulins, whereas it varies for older insulins. If you are injecting an old insulin, the abdomen is the best place, whereas, thighs, upper arms and buttocks are the slowest.
- Do not inject insulin in the same area as it can lead to the damage of tissue because of lack of site rotation
- The angle of injection is usually 90 degrees, but if the patient is a child or is very thin, it is better to have the injection angle of 45 degrees
- While injecting, make sure you penetrate the skin quickly, wait for ten seconds and remove the pen needle
- Avoid reusing the pen needles as the needles become dull after single use. Reusing needles can lead to infection, scarring, tissue damage, blockages, and clogging.
Post-injection Care
Discard the needle immediately after every injection, to avoid any re-use. If you are using a pen needle, make sure you dispose of the used needle container in a puncture proof plastic container such as a plastic detergent bottle. Avoid using plastic water bottles to dispose of pen needles.
Do’s and Don’ts of Insulin Use
Do’s
- Inject 1-2 inches away from the previous site
- Use shortest needle, if possible the will reach the fat layer under the skin
- Use a fresh needle every time
- Prime the pen before injecting
Don’ts
- Do not inject into birthmarks, moles, large stretch marks or scars because tougher tissues affect insulin absorption
- Never use an already-used needle, as it is no longer sterile and can lead to blockages or clot, leakages, air bubbles or bacteria growth
- Never shake the insulin pen or vial
- Do not inject into a vein, as this can be fatal
Parting Thoughts
Using a pen needle is easy but many diabetics are unaware of the best practices related to its use. It is also important to ensure that you follow the best practices to make the process more efficient and reduce the hazards. In addition to following the best practices, make sure you use the right product to administer insulin. Dispovan pen needles by HMD are precision made and easy to use. Every piece is sterilised keeping in mind the strict industry standards. To find out more about our pen needles, contact us today.