Tuesday, April 13, 2021 : Issue #1123 DISASTERS AVERTED — Near Miss Case Studies
Accidents Happen, Damage Can Be Minimized |
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Letter from the Editor
 In this week’s Diabetes Disaster Averted, we look at a problem that happens all too often. A patient tries to be discreet about dosing their insulin and ends up with a broken bottle.
For far too long our patients have tried to hide the use of a syringe to dose insulin, and would end up trying to inject in some less than pristine places. That is why we try to get all of our patients to use insulin pens. Although the labeling on the pen says to uncover and wipe the site of injection with alcohol and let it dry before dosing, many patients have found a much simpler method. They just inject through their clothes. There are other advantages to using a pen as well. They don’t break when you drop them on the floor, and no one thinks you are a drug addict because you have a needle and syringe.
The price of pens has come down significantly over the past 3 years, and even if you are using the older Human Insulins you can buy a box of 5 pens at Walmart for $42. The cost per ml vs. the vial is only about 15% more. The rapid acting Logs are available in generic (same package, same manufacturer as the brand) for as little as $83 a box of 5 from either CVS or Walgreens.
Costs are even less with insurance or Medicare.
When you think of a dropped vial and the hassle of replacing it, the best solution is to have your patients use pens.
(Prices quoted can be found at GoodRX.com.)
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We can make a difference!
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Dave Joffe
Editor-in-chief |
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