More than 2,000 patients recently were exposed to hepatitis C when insulin pens were used on multiple patients, demonstrating the importance of properly disposing of or disinfecting diabetes supplies.
Although the pens’ disposable needles were reportedly changed between patients, 16 of the patients contracted the disease.
The US Food and Drug Administration issued a reminder to physicians and other health care providers that insulin pens, and the insulin cartridges they contain, should only be used on one patient.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines how to properly use diabetes supplies to reduce the chance of transmitting bloodborne diseases.
In addition to using insulin pens on just one patient, providers should:
- Decontaminate glucometers between patients.
- Never reuse needles, syringes, or lancets.
- Dispose of used needles, syringes, and lancets in an approved sharps container.
- Keep supplies and equipment in an individual patient’s room, if possible.
- Use multiple-dose insulin vials for just one patient.