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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Nurse satisfaction using insulin pens in hospitalized patients
Estella M Davis1,2, Anne Bebee2, Leaanne Crawford2
1Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (Dr Davis, Dr Destache)
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate nurse satisfaction using pen devices compared with vials/syringes to administer insulin to hospitalized patients with diabetes.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental 1-group posttest only study design was utilized to distribute a satisfaction survey to 54 registered nurses in a community hospital after implementation of insulin pen devices from July 2005 to May 2006 on 2 medical-surgical floors. Nurses completed a voluntary, anonymous, self-administered, postassessment, investigator-developed survey asking about the number of years practiced as a nurse and experience administering insulin to patients. The survey also asked about insulin administration satisfaction questions comparing insulin pen devices to vials/syringes, and estimated time to teach patients to self-inject insulin using either delivery method during the study period.
Results:
In comparison to vials/syringes, the majority of nurses agreed that insulin pens were more convenient, simple and easy to use, and an overall improvement compared with conventional vials/syringes. There were no insulin-related needlestick injuries using the insulin pens and safety needles.
Conclusion:
Nurses were satisfied with multiple aspects of insulin pens compared with vials/syringes. Implementation of insulin pen devices does not increase nursing time spent to teach patients to self-inject insulin and does not increase insulin-related needlestick injuries.
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