- Understand the prescribed dose of insulin.
- Hold the syringe with the cap facing downward. Remove the cap.
- Air should be drawn into the syringe corresponding to the dose of insulin.
- The vial is prepared by rolling it between the palms to thoroughly mix the insulin.
- The vial is then pierced at the rubber portion with the syringe and air is inserted corresponding to the units of insulin to be taken in the vial.
- With the syringe in the vial, the vial is turned upside down and the piston/plunger is pulled to draw the corresponding amount of insulin into the syringe.
- The patient then has to clean the skin with an alcohol swab and hold the syringe like a pencil in the right hand.
- The skin is pinched with the left hand and the needle is fully inserted into the skin.
- Insulin is then administered by pushing the plunger down using a finger.
- After fully administering the insulin, a count of 1-10 must be taken before withdrawing the syringe.
- The syringe is then recapped and kept aside to be used a few more times before it becomes blunt and the pain felt.
This method of deliverance has few advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
- It is cheap.
- Its usage is easy to understand especially by the less educated people.
- It can be used by the blind too. This can be done by someone filling the syringes and the patient injecting it at the desired time.
Disadvantages:
- It is uncomfortable to use in parties or get-togethers
- It is more painful to use when compared to other devices such as insulin pens as the syringe needles are slightly thicker than pen needles.
- The procedure is slightly elaborate and time consuming when two types of insulin are required to be mixed and taken.