Table 5.
Survey of insulin injection practices among nurses
| Variables | N (%) |
|---|---|
| 1. Wash hand before injection | |
| Never | 679 (0.33) |
| Occasionally | 3711 (1.79) |
| Sometimes | 9695 (4.67) |
| Often | 38,745 (18.66) |
| Always | 154,785 (74.55) |
| 2. Unopened vial of insulin or insulin pen fill is left at room temperature for 30 min after being taken out from the refrigerator | |
| Never | 5292 (2.55) |
| Occasionally | 9746 (4.69) |
| Sometimes | 24,078 (11.60) |
| Often | 46,298 (22.30) |
| Always | 122,201 (58.86) |
| 3. Name, character, expiration date, and remaining volume of insulin in the insulin pen fill is checked before injection | |
| Never | 706 (0.34) |
| Occasionally | 2237 (1.08) |
| Sometimes | 6284 (3.03) |
| Often | 28,646 (13.80) |
| Always | 169,742 (81.76) |
| 4. Full mixing is done before injection of premixed insulin | |
| Never | 1277 (0.62) |
| Occasionally | 2174 (1.05) |
| Sometimes | 6485 (3.12) |
| Often | 26,720 (12.87) |
| Always | 170,959 (82.34) |
| 5. Push out air bubbles in the insulin pen or syringe before injecting insulin | |
| Never | 4837 (2.33) |
| Occasionally | 4290 (2.07) |
| Sometimes | 9408 (4.53) |
| Often | 25,112 (12.10) |
| Always | 163,968 (78.98) |
| 6. The volume button in the insulin pen is set to the right dose before use | |
| Never | 1485 (0.72) |
| Occasionally | 1232 (0.59) |
| Sometimes | 2863 (1.38) |
| Often | 13,927 (6.71) |
| Always | 188,108 (90.60) |
| 7. Ask about meal preparation when giving mealtime insulin | |
| Never | 506 (0.24) |
| Occasionally | 1260 (0.61) |
| Sometimes | 4137 (1.99) |
| Often | 19,100 (9.20) |
| Always | 182,612 (87.96) |
| 8. Pay attention to plasma glucose levels in patients | |
| Never | 437 (0.21) |
| Occasionally | 1682 (0.81) |
| Sometimes | 7786 (3.75) |
| Often | 30,556 (14.72) |
| Always | 167,154 (80.51) |
| 9. Ask about site of last injection | |
| Never | 1619 (0.78) |
| Occasionally | 5529 (2.66) |
| Sometimes | 19,854 (9.56) |
| Often | 41,046 (19.77) |
| Always | 139,567 (67.22) |
| 10. Ask about injection site tenderness prior to injection | |
| Never | 1304 (0.63) |
| Occasionally | 5099 (2.46) |
| Sometimes | 19,869 (9.57) |
| Often | 41,452 (19.97) |
| Always | 139,891 (67.38) |
| 11. Injection site is shifted during each injection | |
| Never | 1003 (0.48) |
| Occasionally | 3226 (1.55) |
| Sometimes | 14,359 (6.92) |
| Often | 44,717 (21.54) |
| Always | 144,310 (69.51) |
| 12. Prior to injection, injection site is carefully examined for skin induration or swelling | |
| Never | 3220 (1.55) |
| Occasionally | 6425 (3.09) |
| Sometimes | 20,880 (10.06) |
| Often | 44,260 (21.32) |
| Always | 132,830 (63.98) |
| 13. The injection site is disinfected and becomes dry before injection | |
| Never | 512 (0.25) |
| Occasionally | 1747 (0.84) |
| Sometimes | 7048 (3.39) |
| Often | 35,151 (16.93) |
| Always | 163,157 (78.59) |
| 14. Skin pinching technique or entry at an angle of 45° is done when using ≥ 6 mm insulin pen or syringe | |
| Never | 2874 (1.38) |
| Occasionally | 3399 (1.64) |
| Sometimes | 14,080 (6.78) |
| Often | 46,653 (22.47) |
| Always | 140,609 (67.73) |
| 15. Insulin is injected despite injection site skin induration or swelling | |
| Never | 167,131 (80.50) |
| Occasionally | 8956 (4.31) |
| Sometimes | 2914 (1.40) |
| Often | 4703 (2.27) |
| Always | 23,911 (11.52) |
| 16. New needle is used each time insulin is injected | |
| Never | 1394 (0.67) |
| Occasionally | 8535 (4.11) |
| Sometimes | 19,905 (9.59) |
| Often | 26,208 (12.62) |
| Always | 151,573 (73.01) |
| 17. Needle remains subcutaneously for at least 10 s after insulin is injected | |
| Never | 1574 (0.76) |
| Occasionally | 2242 (1.08) |
| Sometimes | 6159 (2.97) |
| Often | 22,287 (10.73) |
| Always | 175,353 (84.46) |
| 18. After insulin is injected, the needle is recapped or is removed using tweezers or needle remover and the needle and syringe are placed in a safe container | |
| Never | 5773 (2.78) |
| Occasionally | 6313 (3.04) |
| Sometimes | 14,148 (6.81) |
| Often | 33,138 (15.96) |
| Always | 148,243 (71.40) |