Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 1. Occasionally the physician may order an IM insulin injection in order to increase the absorption rate of the insulin. 2. REGULAR INSULIN is the ONLY insulin that shall be given IM. Unless the person is thin, it is doubtful that the use of the insulin syringe and needle will result in an IM injection. (Insulin syringe needle length is 1/2"). 3. Since the length of the needle on an insulin syringe is not sufficient to administer insulin intramuscularly, the following procedure shall be utilized: Draw up insulin in an insulin syringe in the correct amount. Transfer the insulin to a tuberculin syringe, and attach a 5/8" to l" needle. (The needles on insulin syringes are not removable because they are attached directly to the syringe to eliminate the dead space in the needle hub). When transferring the insulin from the insulin syringe to the tuberculin syringe with a detachable needle that has a needle hub space, it is important to have enough air in the syringe to clear the hub of the needle. The needle hub and needle hold from 3-5 units of insulin. Once the insulin is transferred to the tuberculin syringe, pull down on the plunger so that when the insulin is injected, the air will clear the needle and needle hub and all the insulin will be injected. IM insulin can be injected into the deltoid muscle or another IM site. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-171