Abstract
Based on the 4th Injection Technique Questionnaire results, new insulin injection technique recommendations were announced at the Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy: Expert Recommendations (FITTER) workshop held in Rome, Italy, on October 23 and 24, 2015, in which 183 physicians, nurses, educators, and allied healthcare professionals from 54 countries attended. Through these new recommendations, we hope to identify and localize the new insulin injection technique recommendations that could be applicable in local clinical settings. It is recommended to use a pen needle with a wider inner diameter when its gauge remains the same. Also, recommended injection sites such as the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks are well described based on anatomical landmarks. The insulin absorption rate is the fastest at the abdomen, upper arms, thighs and buttocks in the case of human insulin; however, there is no difference in absorption rate in the case of insulin analog, regardless of site selection. Also, air-shooting is not necessary if drops are observed as soon as the needle is attached to the pen. Diabetes educators should be familiar with new insulin injection technique recommendations, not only to keep themselves updated with new knowledge, but also so they can educate patients to assure patient safety and achieve better outcomes.
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