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Insulin is a medication used in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus type-1 and sometimes diabetes mellitus type-2, both of which are significant risk factors for coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and a host of other vascular conditions. This activity reviews the indications, contraindications, activity, adverse events, and other key elements of Insulin therapy in the clinical setting related to the essential points needed by members of an interprofessional team managing the care of patients with diabetes and its related conditions and sequelae. Objectives: Outline the mechanism of action of insulin. Review the adverse effects of insulin therapy. Summarize the potential toxicity of insulin therapy. Describe some interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to decrease the complications of insulin therapy. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Insulin taken in large doses will cause symptoms of hypoglycemia in the patient. Some of these symptoms include headache, dizziness, palpitations, sweating, abdominal pain, and blurred vision. The immediate therapy for such patients is increasing the levels of glucose. In a conscious patient, this can be done by eating a high-energy bar or drinking a glass of glucose water. If the patient is unconscious, he needs to be hospitalized, given dextrose solution intravenously, and continuously monitors glucose levels.

Insulin is a widely used medicine in hospital settings for the management of hyperglycemia. Insulin is regarded as a high alert medication as its misuse is associated with significant risks such as hypoglycemia, and medical errors are common when using it in hospitals.[24][25] Deal et al. found that the most commonly reported errors were related to missed doses of insulin (25%), timing errors (22.7%), and missed documentation of doses (15.5% of patients).[26] These problems reveal several system errors that merit attention. Rousseau et al. identified various problems causing errors in the hospital use of insulin, such as frequent staff turnover, the involvement of various healthcare providers, none of which are specifically responsible for overall glycemic management, lack of perception of insulin as a “high alert medication,” rapidly evolving diabetes management and lack of education of staff on insulin management.[24] To minimize these errors following measures should be undertaken, Availability of standardized protocols Continuing education of providers Communication between nurses on different shifts Adequate communication between nurses, physicians, and pharmacists Training professionals in insulin therapy of inpatients Diabetes is a complex disease, and insulin is its most effective treatment. An interprofessional team approach is always essential for the management of diabetes in both outpatient as well as inpatient settings. When prescribing insulin in an outpatient setting, patient education is necessary regarding the disease, use, and side effects of insulin. A variety of healthcare professionals, such as dieticians, endocrinologists, exercise professionals, ophthalmologists, and podiatrists, should work with the patient under the coordination of the primary care providers to manage this disease. [Level 5]