It’s Insulin Safety Week, and as ever the annual campaign is all about raising awareness of insulin safety among healthcare professionals.

Our Diabetes Team have prepared some top tips for colleagues – you can see them in the attachment below.

Their key message is to always have in mind:

• Right person – check prescription with patient, carer or relative – they are the experts on their diabetes
• Right device – name of device needs including
• Right insulin – prescribe by BRAND name, beware of sound-a-like insulins, think about the regime – does it make sense
• Right strength – some insulins are now also available in double and triple strength – ensure strength is clearly indicated in prescription
• Right dose – confirm dose with patient, carer or relative, question and clarify doses which seem unusual – use the 25-50 rule 25-50 rule – question any dose of rapid acting insulin over 25 units or any dose of longer acting insulin over 50 units
• Right time – insulin is a time critical drug, ensure prescribed at correct times, eg, rapid acting insulins with meals

Device safety alert - Mylife Clickfine needles being discontinued from 21 May

These insulin pen safety needles are being discontinued.

From Monday 22 May, please use GlucoRx Insulin Pen Safety Needles.

Patients self-administering insulin must NOT use or be given insulin pen safety needles.

All third-party injections must be administered using a GlucoRx insulin pen safety needle.