If you inject diabetes medication, you should know how important correct injection technique is for effectively managing your diabetes.

Transcription

1 Insulin injection technique best practices Expert recommendations on injecting insulin with pen and insulin syringe needles If you inject diabetes medication, you should know how important correct injection technique is for effectively managing your diabetes. Your pen needle or insulin syringe, type of medication and rotation of injection sites all play critical roles, which can lead to better treatment results. 1

2 10 tips for injecting with a pen needle 1 6 Keeping the plunger button pushed down for 10 seconds before removing the needle from your skin helps ensure that the full dose is delivered and minimizes dripping or leaking. Don t worry if a small droplet of liquid appears on the skin after injection; in most cases, this is clinically insignificant to your dose. Use the shortest needle Insulin delivery recommendations published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings state that all types of patients should inject with the shortest needle such as a 4 mm pen needle. Always inject into the healthy subcutaneous (SC) tissue, avoiding any scars, lumps, inflammation or infection. Skin layer SC tissue Muscle layer 7 Attach the pen needle straight onto the pen 8 Mix cloudy insulin and prime your pen 9 Injection sites should be clean and dry 10 Avoid injecting into lipohypertrophy (lipo) Unhealthy lumps and bumps called lipo can form under the skin of people who inject insulin. If you inject into them, your insulin may not work properly. You should always inject into healthy skin. Check your technique If you re using a 4 mm or 5 mm pen needle, you can inject at 90 without using a pinch-up technique. A 4 mm needle is long enough to pass through the skin and enter the SC tissue layer with little risk of intramuscular injection.,3 Rotate your injection sites Follow a plan to rotate between and within all areas (abdomen, thighs, upper arms, buttocks), always moving one finger width away from your last injection site. If the injection site is not clean, clean the skin and wait for it to dry completely before injecting. 5 Always inject with a new needle Pen needles are designed for single use and should only be used once they are no longer sterile after use. If you use cloudy (NPH or premixed) insulin, gently roll and tip the pen until the insulin becomes milk white. Before injecting, prime your pen* to make sure there s a free flow of insulin. 4 Properly dispose of your used pen needles Always dispose of used pen needles immediately after injection into a proper medical sharps container. Make sure your pen needle is lined up straight with your pen, and twist until it is tight to ensure proper connectivity. 3 Hold for 10 seconds after injection Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a 4 mm pen needle injection technique worksheet. * Follow the manufacturer s instructions. Children from to 6 years old, extremely lean adults or patients with loose skin may need to use a pinch-up technique. It may take more or less than 10 seconds; for large doses, counting beyond 10 seconds may be necessary to avoid dripping or leaking. Through trial and error, you can find the hold time that s right for you.

3 10 tips for injecting with an insulin syringe 1 6 Unlike injections with pen needles, insulin syringe users don t need to hold the needle in the skin for 10 seconds after injection before removing it. Use the shortest needle 7 Insulin delivery recommendations published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings state that all types of patients should inject with the shortest needle such as a 6 mm insulin syringe needle.* Always inject into the healthy subcutaneous (SC) tissue, avoiding any scars, lumps, inflammation or infection. Skin layer SC tissue Muscle layer µ adipocytes (fat cells) 4 infiltrate the dermis (skin) Use firm downward pressure pushing deep into fat layer 10 Injection sites should be clean and dry If the injection site is not clean, clean the skin and wait for it to dry completely before injecting. Lipo visible on inspection 5 Lipo on left identified by shiny skin surface Inject using a pinch-up technique If you re using a 6 mm or longer insulin syringe needle, you can inject at 90 using a pinch-up Lipoatrophy visible on inspection technique. Rotate your injection sites Follow a plan to rotate between and within all areas (abdomen, thighs, upper arms, buttocks), always moving one finger width away from your last injection site. Mix cloudy insulin A Always inject with a new needle Insulin syringes are designed for single use and should only be used once they are no longer sterile after use. Clean the top of the insulin vial If you use cloudy (NPH or premixed) insulin, gently roll and tip the vial until the insulin B 100 µ 1 mm becomes milk Normal white. vs. enlarged Adipocytes (fat cells) Properly dispose of your used insulin syringe needles Always dispose of used insulin syringes immediately after injection into a proper medical sharps container. Before drawing up your dose of insulin, use an alcohol swab to disinfect the rubber seal. 3 You don t need to hold for 10 seconds You can usually feel the edge of the lipo as a harder ridge Avoid injecting into lipohypertrophy (lipo) Unhealthy lumps and bumps called lipo can form under the skin of people who inject insulin. If you inject into them, your insulin may not work properly. You should always inject into healthy skin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a 6 mm insulin syringe needle injection technique worksheet. * Excluding syringes used in hospital settings.

4 BD Nano 4mm Pen Needles Our shortest pen needle in line with the latest injection technique recommendations from diabetes experts The shortest BD pen needle for easier, one-handed injections at more sites 3 Exclusive PentaPoint Comfort creates a thinner and flatter needle tip for an easier and more comfortable injection 4 EasyFlow Technology allows insulin to flow more freely through the needle and does not require you to push the button on your pen as hard to deliver your injection 5 Compatible with leading diabetes medication pens 6 BD Insulin Syringes with BD Ultra-Fine 6mm Needles Our shortest insulin syringe needle in line with the latest injection technique recommendations from diabetes experts * The shortest BD insulin syringe needle for safer injections 3 A shorter and thinner-gauge needle designed for more comfortable injections Available in a range of syringe barrel sizes (or capacities), with large dose unit markings designed to be easier to read when drawing insulin to the correct dose Available with a half-unit scale for small doses ideal for pediatric patients and those with insulin sensitivity BD pen needles and insulin syringes are covered by most health plans at the preferred co-pay, including Medicare Part D. * * Co-pays and preferred status vary by plan. * Excluding syringes used in hospital settings. Compared to longer insulin syringe needles.

5 Connect with BD BD Customer Support BDCARES ( ) Monday Friday, 8 a.m. 8 p.m. Diabetes Innovations US Join a supportive, welcoming Facebook community to learn more about insulin delivery and healthy living. BD Diabetes Care Information for people with diabetes and for healthcare professionals. bd.com/diabetes BD Diabetes Care Watch educational videos about diabetes and innovative BD products. Follow the BD Diabetes Care channel on YouTube. References: 1. Frid AH, Hirsch LJ, Menchior AR, Morel DR, Strauss KW. Worldwide injection technique questionnaire study: injecting complications and the role of the professional. Mayo Clin Proc. 016;91(9): Frid AH, Kreugel G, Grassi G, et al. New insulin delivery recommendations. Mayo Clin Proc. 016;91(9): Gibney MA, Arce CH, Byron KJ, Hirsch LJ. Skin and subcutaneous adipose layer thickness in adults with diabetes at sites used for insulin injections: implications for needle length recommendations. Curr Med Res Opin. 010;6(6): Hirsch L, Gibney M, Berube J, Manocchio J. Impact of a modified needle tip geometry on penetration force as well as acceptability, preference, and perceived pain in subjects with diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 01;6(): Aronson R, Gibney MA, Oza K, Bérubé J, Kassler-Taub K, Hirsch L. Insulin pen needles: effects of extra-thin wall needle technology on preference, confidence, and other patient ratings. Clin Ther. 013;35(7): BD Pen Needle Compatibility Status Summary with Diabetes Care & Non-Diabetes Drug Delivery Devices; Documents Number: 149OTH Dated: April 016; Ver A Dated: 30 March 017. BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417, U.S. bd.com 017 BD. BD, the BD Logo and all other are trademarks are property of Becton, Dickinson and Company ITBPLB