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module menu icon Key facts

  • Insulin requirements usually increase during illness or infection
  • Dispensing and administration errors can occur where the dose is misread as a result of inappropriate use of abbreviations, for example using U or IU rather than units
  • Similarities in names and packaging contribute to the potential for error and insulin-related harm
  • Insulins should be prescribed by brand name as different brands have different strengths and instructions for use
  • There is variation in the duration of action, peak time and onset of action between different insulins. If a patient is administered the wrong insulin, their blood glucose could become too low or too high, with potentially severe harm
  • People with diabetes receiving insulin therapy must be given appropriate information about how to recognise and manage hypoglycaemia
  • Signposting to local support groups, such as Diabetes UK, and providing written information is important.