Insulin Injection Technique

Written by docteam Monday, 01 March 2010 10:23

Injection should be given into the deep subcutaneous tissue through a broad pinch of skin at a 450 angle or at a 900 where the subcutaneous layer is thicker than the needle length.

Intra muscular insulin ijection should be avoide as absorption is far too rapid and the injection may be painful. Standard insulin syringes have a 12.7 mm  needle. Short (8 mm) needle disposable syringes are now available.

These minimize the risk of administering the insulin intra musculary. They allow 900 angle of injection routinely in all sites in most adolescent, but care still needs to be taken with children and very lean individuals who may require a 450 angle. Insulin pens have 8 mm-length needles. There are no data on mean distances between the skin and the muscle layer in children.

Patient and care providers should be taught about the factors influencing insulin absorption rates, such as:

1. Site ( the abdomen has the fastest rate of absorption, followed by the arms, thighs and buttocks).
2. Depth of injection ( deeper injection are absorbed faster).
3. Insulin type.
4. Insulin dose
5. Physical activity ( exercise increase absorption )
6. Ambient temperature ( faster absorption with higher temperatures)
7. Lipodystrophy or lipohypertrophy ( delayed absorption in area of lipohypertrophy)