Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Use Clocks with Timers for Insulin Administration

Tips

Involve patients in consistent timing of doses by placing a clock with a timer at each patient’s bedside and asking the patient to alert the staff when the dose is due.
Choose timer alarms that are different from other alarm devices on the unit so that the sound or other means of alarm is unique and easily identified.
Remember that audible alarms can add to the noise level on the unit, which can make it difficult for staff to concentrate and patients to rest. Consider using visual alarms or pagers that vibrate instead.
Place the alarm or timer near the point of care so that staff must be near the patient to turn it off. Ideally, staff turn off the alarm simultaneously to administering the drug, not before.
Use patient self-medication to improve timeliness of administration, since many patients on insulin were accustomed to administering their own doses at home.

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