Insulin

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What you will learn

This module promotes the safe management of insulin, a commonly used high risk medicine.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module you will be able to:

  • identify the different types of insulin, their therapeutic action times and available devices
  • identify common errors occurring in the prescribing, dispensing and administration of insulin
  • identify risk factors and vulnerabilities of using insulin that can contribute to errors
  • identify strategies and governance structures that can minimise the risk of errors and harm.

Scope of module

This module focuses on the use of subcutaneous insulin, with intravenous insulin falling outside its scope.

It is recommended that all clinicians who are involved with intravenous insulin review their state or local health service policies and clarify any ambiguities with their diabetes service.

Unlike subcutaneous insulin, the indications for the use of intravenous insulin do not only include hyperglycaemia. The specific equipment, procedures, clinical targets, monitoring and therapeutic endpoints do not fall within the scope of this module to address the associated risks and potential errors that can occur.

About this module

Relevance

This module is intended for all health care staff involved in the management of insulin particularly in hospital, aged care and home care settings.

Duration

The module is designed to take around an hour to complete.

Certificate

On successful completion of the assessments you can download a certificate of completion.

Compliance

This module aligns with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Second Edition – Standards 1, 2, 4 & 6.

Clinical Governance Standard: Ticked Partnering with Consumers Standard: Ticked Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard Medication Safety Standard: Ticked Comprehensive Care Standard Communication for Safety Standard: Ticked Blood Management Standard Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard

Disclaimer

This module content was developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and is protected by copyright under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike (BY-NC-ND) 4.0 International License.

The content is provided in good faith by the Commission for information purposes. It is not a substitute for, and is not intended to replace, any specific policies, guidelines or requirements for your local health network or health service.

The Commission does not accept any legal liability or responsibility for any injury, loss or damage incurred by the use of, or reliance on, this information.

Course release dates

Date
March 2025 Updated to include new case studies and changes to current practice, policies and standards.
March 2015 First released.

Resources

General resources

Insulin types

High concentration insulin products

Other resources

Insulin devices

Manufacturers instructions

Other sites

Insulin errors

Safe prescribing

National Subcutaneous Insulin Medication Charts

Other resources

Safe storage and selection

Safe dispensing and administration

User-applied labelling of injectable medicines, fluids and lines

Safe monitoring and responding

Managing hypoglycaemia and hypoglycaemia

Other resources and references

Engaging with consumers

Acknowledgements

Content team

Michelle Robins, Nurse Practitioner Diabetes, Northern Health, Melbourne.

Northern Health Insulin Working Group.

Course structure