Insulin Pen Devices

An insulin pen is a medication-delivery device, not simply a more convenient syringe. The pen measures insulin in units, allows the user to dial the prescribed dose, and can make self-administration more accurate and practical for many adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The device does not make insulin harmless. Insulin remains a high-alert medication because a wrong product, wrong dose, wrong timing, or missed meal can lower blood glucose rapidly enough to cause seizure, loss of consciousness, or death. A pen can also create a false sense of security. A learner may see a familiar-looking device and assume the insulin is familiar too. That is unsafe. Different pens may contain rapid-, short-, intermediate-, long-, or mixed insulin. Some products also have different concentrations. The nurse verifies the insulin name, concentration, and prescribed dose every time; colour, shape, and cap design are not reliable identifiers. Insulin pens are single-patient devices. Changing the needle does not make a pen safe to share because microscopic blood contamination can occur within the device. In a care setting, label the pen for...