Evaluating the views of doctors and nurses on the delivery of a safe insulin tips (SIPS) educational programme
Published Date: 07th October 2020
Publication Authors: Lloyd M, Michaels S, Cardwell J, Furlong NJ
Aim
To evaluate the views of doctors and nurses on the delivery and use of a safe insulin tips (SIPS) educational programme.
Methods
Twelve SIPS were developed covering key areas of safe insulin use by a multi‐professional collaboration of patients and healthcare professionals. Individual SIPs were emailed weekly over 12 weeks to staff on selected hospital wards and also delivered face‐to‐face by ward pharmacists to consolidate learning.
Surveys were distributed to all recipients to evaluate their views of the SIPS. Questions combined 5‐point Likert‐scale and open‐ended statements. Agreement scores were calculated for statements on perceived usefulness, format, content, feasibility and potential benefits of the SIPS. Ethical approval was not required as this was a service evaluation.
Results
The SIPS were delivered to 203 individuals (103 nurses, 100 doctors). Fifty‐one staff members (25 doctors, 26 nurses, a 25% response rate) completed the survey. Participants strongly agreed that the SIPS were useful, raised awareness of insulin errors, and should continue with tips developed for other medication groups. Participants agreed that the SIPS encouraged reflection and helped their practice with qualitative statements suggesting staff used them in‐situ to guide their clinical practice.
Conclusions
An educational SIPS programme has potential to support learning in busy clinical environments on safe insulin use. This work is scalable and transferrable with tips being developed for other high‐risk medications including antibiotics and anticoagulants. Further work is required to explore any potential impact on insulin prescribing and administration practice.
Lloyd, M; Michaels, S; Cardwell, J; Furlong, N. (2020). Evaluating the views of doctors and nurses on the delivery of a safe insulin tips (SIPS) educational programme in an acute hospital setting. Diabetic Medicine. 37 (S1), 22-23