Addendum 1: Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations, India

Abstract

With the emerging complexities in chronic diseases and people's lifestyles, healthcare professionals (HCPs) need to update their methods to manage and educate patients with chronic lifestyle disorders, particularly diabetes. The insulin injection technique (IIT), along with various parameters, must also be updated with newer methods. Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations (FIT-TER), India, has updated its recommendations to cover newer ways of detecting hypoglycaemia and lipohypertrophy, preventing needlestick injuries (NSIs), discouraging the reuse of insulin needles and encouraging good disposal. FITTER, India, is also introducing recommendations to calculate insulin bolus dose. These updated recommendations will help HCPs better manage patients with diabetes and achieve improved outcomes.

Cross-sectional Study of Insulin Pen Storage Knowledge and Related Factors in Vietnamese People with Diabetes

“…Therefore, storing insulin and injection pens at the proper temperature and location is mandatory knowledge for participants. 14 Furthermore, our study also showed that 62.9% of participants responded that they usually stored insulin pens without removing the tip of the used needle after taking a shot. Heinemann, 12 writing on the importance of good insulin injection practices in DM management, suggested not storing insulin pens with needles after use.…”

“…Failure to remove the tip of a used needle after injection can lead to bacterial infection, air leakage, and drug leakage. 14 In this study, 71.2% of participants knew to store pens and insulin in the refrigerator but not to freeze them. As mentioned above, unused insulin pens must be stored properly to retain the best quality of the drug before being injected into the body.…”

“…It is impossible to treat T2DM at that time effectively, and infected insulin can cause other serious health effects. 14 When educating people with T2DM on fasting, treatment, and exercise regimens, clinical nurses must pay special attention to imparting knowledge of preserving insulin pens. They need to update their knowledge continuously and select the latest complete, accurate, and effective materials to provide knowledge and health education to people with diabetes.…”

“…The Vietnamese Insulin Pen Storage Knowledge Questionnaire (VIPSKQ) was developed by the researchers based on Addendum 1: Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations, India 2021. 14 This latter document was developed by Tandon 8 and is used to guide medical staff and other healthcare professionals in clinical practice and people with diabetes regarding knowledge about insulin pen therapy. Our questionnaire has nine items about insulin pen storage knowledge.…”

“…The Forum continuously enhanced the individuals' adherence to updated recommendations. 14 Following and applying these principles to clinical practice will lead to effective therapies, improved outcomes, and reduced costs.…”