Cole Memorial Confirms Non-Usage of Insulin Pens
Coudersport, PA-- This week, news agencies are reporting that a second western New York hospital is notifying their diabetic patients about potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens from the improper re-usage of insulin pens at their healthcare organizations.
“In response to questions we have received from the community, we have validated that we do not utilize insulin pens at Cole Memorial,” said Cynthia Hardesty, CNO and vice president of Clinical Operations at Cole Memorial. “They are not something that we stock in our pharmacy.”
We would also advise our patients who use insulin pens at home of the following ways to prevent the risk of infection:
• Insulin pens containing multiple doses of insulin are meant for use on a single person only, and should never be used for more than one person, even when the needle is changed.
• The owner of the pen should use a new needle for each injection.
• Keep needles away from children and pets.
• Do not place needles in the trash. Dispose of all medical needles in a puncture resistant “sharps” container that may be received from pharmacies, medical supply stores or other suppliers. Take full containers to a proper drop-off site or send to a medical mail back service.
Additional information about this subject is located at http://www.cdc.gov/injectionsafety/clinical-reminders/insulin-pens.html#Summary
or the PA Department of Health’s site at http://www.portal.state.pa.us
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