Page 30 - The SA Journal Diabetes & Vascular Disease Volume 9 No 4 (November 2012)
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VOLUME 9 NUMBER 4 • NOVEMBER 2012
HOW TO GUIDE
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
Examples of patient information leaflets can be found at:
•
Injectiontech.php
Diabetes UK
•
MORE INFORMATION
PERFORM THE INJECTION
Insulin should be injected just under the surface of the skin and not into
the muscle where it will be absorbed too quickly. To ensure that the insu-
lin is injected into the right area, the skin should be pinched up gently to
lift it away from the deeper muscle layers.
Keeping the pen in an upright position, at a right angle to the skin,
insert the needle and inject the insulin slowly. When all of the insulin has
been injected, count to ten before removing the needle to ensure that no
insulin leaks back out.
CLEAR UP
Ensure that the needle is removed from the pen and disposed of in a
sharps container. Recap the pen.
IMPORTANT POINTS
Avoid injecting insulin into areas of the body that will be used extensively
following an injection, such as the thighs before a game of football. The
extra activity can lead to faster absorption of the insulin, which can affect
blood glucose control.
Insulin can be kept at room temperature for up to six weeks. It can be
stored in a fridge but should not be frozen. Changes in temperature (such
as going from a cold car to a warm room) can affect the efficacy of insulin
so it should be kept at a stable temperature. If insulin has been stored in
the fridge allow it to reach room temperature before injecting.
If bleeding occurs at the injection site, press on the site but do not rub
the skin. If bleeding occurs every time, the patient’s injection technique
should be checked.
