Grass roots initiative brings Insulin Pens to St. Joe’s
It started with a conversation among colleagues; Ruby Weresch, Diabetes Educator, Cathy Burger Nephrology Pharmacist, Stephanie Gilbreath, Pharmacist, Connie Lukinuk, Pharmacist and Jeremy Johnson, Diabetes Educator.
Ruby, Cathy, Stephanie, Connie and Jeremy, like many across St. Joe’s, are always looking for teaching opportunities for patients and a greater continuity for patients transitioning between hospital and home.
“If you consider every injection an opportunity for education, with syringes, we are losing a lot of potential teachable moments,” explained Jeremy Johnson, Diabetes Educator at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “Using the products that patients' use at home, which are actually more accurate, less-painful and safer for nurses, just seemed like good common sense.”
With that, an insulin pen pilot study began in 2013 on the Renal Transplant and Nephrology Units. Results from the pilot found that there was a higher rate of nurse satisfaction and cost neutrality.
“We truly were pioneers in insulin pen devices in acute care, and we did all this because we truly believe that preserving familiarity increases opportunities for patient education and patient engagement at St. Joe’s,” said Jeremy.
“From the beginning, we knew this type of an initiative really had to be a marriage between nursing and pharmacy,” continued Jeremy. “With the help of dedicated pharmacists and diabetes educators, and guidance from Heather Radman, Julie Holmes, Carmine Nieuwstraten and Cheryl Evans, we turned our grass-roots pilot study into a full organization-wide conversion!”
Just the Facts: Insulin Pens at St. Joe’s
On June 13th, insulin pens will be available in all patient care areas across all St. Joe’s sites, in areas serviced by the Inpatient Pharmacy. Although insulin syringes and vials will still be available for intravenous insulin, after this date, all subcutaneous injections will be given by insulin pens. Beginning May 29th, diabetes educators will be visiting all patient care areas and teaching and certifying all nurses how to use insulin pens.
While 99 per cent of patients already use insulin pens at home, this switch in hospital will result in expedited discharges, increased patient comfort, increased opportunities for patient education, decreased insulin waste and ultimately, decreased overall costs.
We need your help to ensure a safe transition in practice.
All nurses at St. Joe’s are being asked to make themselves available for the mandatory certification starting May 29th. Without certification, nurses will not be able to use insulin pens.
If you miss this opportunity, each unit has specially trained super-users who can help answer any questions, certify remaining staff and field questions or concerns.
Remember, insulin pens should NEVER be shared.
Want to learn more?
If you are a staff member: For additional resources and learning opportunities, please see the new insulin pen e-learning module by clicking here.
For further questions, please contact Jeremy Johnson, Diabetes Patient Educator at Ext. 34985 or email johnsonj@stjoes.ca.