Question about insulin QA

[ncnurse71]

Greets. I was hoping that some of the LTC nurses could share the policy/practice their facility uses to ensure insulins get pitched and reordered every 28 days. Tell me your ideas, what you do at your facility and whether it works or not! I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

[pednursedeb]

I don't know about LTC, but every time we give insulin it has to be checked by another nurse. That means dose, type of insulin and expiration date. So there is not a problem. We date the bottle when it's opened and notify pharmacy when it expires.

Hope that helps

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

We have little stickers that go on the bottle. Top line is for the date opened. and bottom line is for the date discard.

11-7 shift is responsible to see that expired insulins are no longer in the refridgerator.

We don't double check insulin with another nurse.

[cecilsgirl]

we use the sticker method as well, AND with a black sharpie we write LAST DAY-8/31/10 ( for example) right on the baggie in large letters - it really can't be missed, we always have insulins double checked- AND another nurse's initials too, they are suppose to check the expiration date as well. its a pain,.... but I'm use to it now.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

The nurses are supposed to date the bottle when they open it. I go around at least weekly to make sure the insulin has not expired.

[217shana]

I believe JCAHO has asked that opened vials be dated with expiration date at this time. We have in the past assigned night shift the task of reordering insulin.

[San2003]

I work night turn and we are responsible for checking dates. I personally check them every Sunday. That way If they need reordered I fax them out before 8 am and the new vials are there before 2pm. The problem I find is getting everyone to realize the importance of dating them when they are opened. Unfortunately when I find a vial that hasn't been dated I have no choice but to date them with the date from the pharmacy on when the script was filled.

[mRpeNa]

i have a question... is it ok to keep the insulin at room temperature?

[pednursedeb]

It's my understanding that insulin can be kept at room temp. It should not be exposed to temps above room temp. We get insulin pens now that even state do not store in refrigerater on them.

[San2003]

Yes it can be kept at room temp. However if it is refrigerated to start with then it must remain that way. I think its easier to keep it at room temp. Then it is always available on the carts where and when you need it. Not to mention trying to remember to get it when you start or put it away when your finished is just one more thing on your mind as if we don't already have enough.

[Schmoo1022]

Yes it can be kept at room temp. However if it is refrigerated to start with then it must remain that way. I think its easier to keep it at room temp. Then it is always available on the carts where and when you need it. Not to mention trying to remember to get it when you start or put it away when your finished is just one more thing on your mind as if we don't already have enough.

This I haven't heard. We always refrigerate the unopened vials, but after that, they are kept at room temperature.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

On my unit we keep insulins on our med carts d/t frequent use. Lantus, however, is always refrigerated.