Tip of the week: FDA warns about use of insulin pens for multiple patients
Hospital Safety Connection, March 26, 2009
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Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release warning healthcare professionals not to use insulin pens on multiple patients because of the possibility of spreading infectious diseases.
Insulin pens contain a disposable needle and an insulin reservoir or cartridge. The pens usually contain enough insulin for one patient to use multiple times, but because bloodborne pathogens can contaminate the cartridge, the pens should not be used for more than one patient.
The FDA is aware of two hospitals that failed to follow these protocols, putting 2,000 patients at risk of exposure to hepatitis and HIV. You can read more about this incident and the FDA warning on OSHA Healthcare Advisor.
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