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Injection Techniques
Syringes
While injecting yourself with insulin, it is important that you collect all necessary supplies before each injection. Ensure that you have the correct needle and syringe, the correct dose of insulin - one that has been stored properly, and one that hasn't expired - and antiseptic swabs.
Loading Insulin
- Prior to loading insulin, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- If the insulin you are injecting is other than rapid or short-acting, then the vial must be gently mixed (NOT shaken). To do this, you could either roll it between the palms of your hands, or gently turn it from end to end a few times.
- If the vial is new, remove the colored cap and clean the rubber stopper with an antiseptic swab. If the bottle has been opened before, wipe the rubber stopper clean with an alcohol swab.
- Remove the cover from the needle and pull the plunger out to draw air into the syringe. Before withdrawing the insulin, to avoid creating a vacuum, you must inject an amount of air equal to the volume of insulin to be withdrawn into the vial.
- Push the needle through the rubber stopper of the insulin vial, and push the air in the syringe into the bottle of insulin.
- Hold the vial stopper down, with one hand, and pull slowly down on the plunger with the other hand to draw insulin into the syringe, until the top of the plunger lies on the correct measure needed for injection.
- If air bubbles appear in the syringe, push the insulin back into the vial and again, slowly draw the proper volume of insulin into the syringe. The syringe may also be gently tapped with the finger to remove air bubbles.
- Repeat this until there are no air bubbles and the correct number of units of insulin is within the syringe. It must be noted that though these tiny air bubbles are not dangerous by themselves, they can reduce the volume of insulin in the injected dose.
- Remove the syringe from the vial, and check that the top of the plunger is at the correct number of prescribed units. If it is necessary to set the syringe down before injecting, you must carefully replace the plastic cover on the needle.
The Injection
- After choosing an injection site, clean the area with an antiseptic swab.
- Pick up the syringe and uncap it if it is capped.
- Pinch the area of skin to be injected, and quickly push the needle through the skin at an angle of 90 degrees.
- Inject the insulin by pushing down on the plunger, release the skin, and pull the needle straight out of the site.
- Press gently over the area injected with a finger or alcohol swab. Do not, however, rub the area.
- Dispose of used needles and syringes safely.
Tips to Minimize Injection Pain
- You can minimize the pain due to injection by following these simple techniques -
- Inject insulin at room temperature.
- Remove all air bubbles from the syringe before injection.
- Wait until the topical alcohol/antiseptic has evaporated before injecting.
- Keep the muscles of the injection site relaxed.
- Penetrate the skin quickly.
- Avoid changing the direction of the needle during insertion or removal.
- Do not reuse disposable needles.
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