Faculty Articles

Optimizing insulin delivery for patients with diabetes.

Publication Title

Geriatric nursing

Publisher

Mosby, Inc.

ISSN

0197-4572

Publication Date

3-1-2018

Abstract

Management of diabetes for residents in long-term care settings is particularly challenging, due to the wide range of physical and mental limitations that bear on efficacy of their medications, as well as practical issues associated with the optimal administration of these medications. Foremost among the practical issues for residents requiring insulin injections, is the need to ensure that it is consistently delivered to the circulation at the target rate and dosage, thereby avoiding life-threatening episodes of hypoglycemia. Recent evidence from a multinational survey has elucidated principles of insulin injection technique, including optimal needle length and site rotation that can greatly improve consistency in delivering insulin to the subcutaneous compartment, while reducing pain, improving patient compliance, and limiting the total daily dosage. The present review consolidates these findings and highlights the most critical take-home messages for healthcare professionals working in this area.

DOI

10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.11.007

Volume

39

Issue

2

First Page

138

Last Page

142

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy

Link to Full Text
Peer Reviewed

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