ABSTRACT
To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of various U100 insulin syringes in the hands of diabetics, we devised a method to measure individual insulins injected from the syringe. We found alarming inaccuracies with dead-space-containing syringes when two insulins were mixed in the syringe before injection; these errors exceeded 100% with low doses. Reproducibility of dose was also poor with dead-space syringes. Syringes with minimal dead space overcome these problems and we recommend that all diabetics who mix insulins should use these syringes.
Subject(s)
Insulin/administration & dosage , Syringes/standards , Humans , Iodine Radioisotopes/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Seventeen insulin-dependent diabetics reused 111 disposable plastic syringes (Terumo 40/80-U; detachable needle) a total of 2363 times. Each syringe was used for an average of 12.2 days (range, one to 80 days), making an average of 21.3 injections each (range, two to 126 injections). There were no injection-related infections or local reactions. Six syringes from four patients were contaminated by non-pathogenic skin organisms (Staphylococcus albus and Bacillus spp.) without any detrimental effects. Contamination was independent of duration of syringe use or skin preparation technique. The reuse of plastic disposable insulin syringes appears to be a safe, cost-saving practice.
