Community Insulin: Nurse Delegation of Injections (CINDI) 1:14/08/2019
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Delegation of insulin administration to non-registered healthcare workers in community nursing teams: an evaluation of care and practice for older people with diabetes
IRAS ID
266534
Contact name
Karen Stenner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 26 days
Research summary
A growing number of older people with diabetes have other conditions, such as memory loss or arthritis, which means that they cannot give themselves insulin injections. As a result, they require care from community nursing services in order to remain at home. Insulin is needed to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in order to prevent worsening health and is normally given at least once/twice daily, requiring multiple visits. As insulin can be harmful if it is not used properly, it is important that healthcare staff are trained and competent to give (administer) it. In some community nursing teams, district nurses hand-over (delegate) this job to healthcare assistants trained to administer insulin injections. With a national shortage of nurses, delegating insulin injections to healthcare assistants may improve service efficiency and may also benefit patients, as insulin injections can be timed close to meals. However, it may cause confusion over responsibilities and there has been no independent evaluation of this practice. This 18 month research project will evaluate the delegation of insulin administration in three community nursing teams in England. We will talk to up to 5 older patients (aged 65+) and/or carers in each of three sites where insulin injections are given by healthcare assistants. The aim is to gain a better understanding of what patients think are the important issues and identify any benefits or concerns amongst staff or patients. We will also interview healthcare assistants, nurses, diabetes specialists and other stakeholders to gain different perspectives on what works well and identify any aspects that need to be improved. The study will inform further research and contribute to national guidance on planning and regulation for the safety of injection delegation.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1634
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion