INSULIN EDUCATION

Initiating insulin therapy is nothing less than breaking bad news to the diabetic person & most of the time it is wrongly perceived as last stage of life. Insulin therapy causes psychologically distress to the diabetic patients who are not responsive to oral hypoglycaemic agents. Introducing insulin therapy is surrounded with many myths and reluctance to accept it easily due to social stigma associated with insulin. Successful insulin therapy is the key component to manage hyperglycaemia not responsive or controlled by OHA’s & other life style modification measures. Clinical nurses/Nursing Officers/Specialized nurses working in different clinical areas having diabetic patients on insulin, must be well versed with all the concepts/steps of insulin educations. Right way of taking insulin prevents from long term complications of diabetes. eg; kidney diseases, heart disease, stroke, amputation (foot & leg), blindness etc. Insulin is safe to give even during pregnancy & in paediatric population (type-1 diabetes).

Insulin therapy is a life-saving treatment for hyperglycemic patients in the hospital setting however it can be life-threatening if administered incorrectly. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations has identified it as one of five 'High Alert' medications with the highest risk of causing injury to patients due to prescription errors. Insulin-related errors and side effects are still prominent over the world. A study by the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit 2017 suggests a significant proportion of the patient on insulin experience medication error related to their Insulin is around 49%. Nurses play an important role in Diabetes education. They should have sound knowledge and good practice in insulin injection techniques to administer Insulin correctly and to educate patients or their relatives properly.
This book incorporates all the relevant & evidenced based recent, updated guidelines for initiating & conducting insulin education which laid down strong foundation for correct understanding & practice for facilitating insulin education to person living with diabetes.

At the end of reading this book I strongly believe that nursing professionals would become more knowledgeable, empowered & confident in administering insulin, conducting insulin education & counselling for diabetic patients in various clinical areas & settings.