The best joint pharmacy and diabetes team initiative to improve insulin and prescribing safety in hospital

Authors

  • Umesh Dashora Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Conquest Hospital, Hastings
  • Mike Sampson Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich
  • Erwin Castro Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Conquest Hospital, Hastings
  • Debbie Stanisstreet Diabetes Centre, Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
  • Christine Jones Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich
  • Rowan Hillson Former National Clinical Director for Diabetes, Department of Health, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15277/bjd.2018.195

Keywords:

insulin safety, award, pharmacy, initiative

Abstract

Introduction: The annual National Diabetes Inpatient Audit (NaDIA) in the UK continues to show a high incidence of insulin errors in patients admitted to hospital with diabetes. It is clear that new initiatives are urgently required to address this risk.

Methods: The Joint British Diabetes Societies for In-Patient Care (JBDS-IP) organised the third national Rowan Hillson Insulin Safety Award on the theme of the best joint pharmacy and diabetes team initiative to improve insulin and prescribing safety in hospital.

Results: There were two winners (Derby and Sheffield teams) and one runner up (St George’s Hospital team). The Derby team won by showing improvements in NaDIA-reported data on medication, prescription, glucose management and insulin errors by a combination of electronic prescribing, staff education and regular audits. The Sheffield team improved self-administration of insulin by a pharmacist-led programme. The St George’s Hospital team improved patient safety by a dedicated pharmacist-supported programme for peri-operative patients.

Conclusions: These and similar schemes need to be developed, promoted and shared to reduce insulin errors in hospitalised patients with diabetes.

Author Biographies

Umesh Dashora, Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Conquest Hospital, Hastings

Consultant (Diabetes and Endocrinology)

Mike Sampson, Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich

Professor

Erwin Castro, Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Conquest Hospital, Hastings

Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Debbie Stanisstreet, Diabetes Centre, Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Christine Jones, Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich

Administrator, Joint British Diabetes Societies Inpatient Group

Rowan Hillson, Former National Clinical Director for Diabetes, Department of Health, UK

Department of Health, UK

References

NHS Digital. National Diabetes Inpatient Audit 2017. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/national-diabetes-inpatient-audit/national-diabetes-inpatient-audit-nadia-2017 (accessed 29 April 2018)

Dashora U, Sampson MJ, Castro E, et al. Rowan Hillson Insulin Safety Award ‘best in class’ insulin prescription chart competition. Br J Diabetes 2015;15:135–8.

Dashora U, Sampson MJ, Castro E, et al. The best hypoglycaemia avoidance initiative in the UK. Br J Diabetes 2017;17:74–7.

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Published

2018-12-12

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