National Diabetes Week, 9-16 July 2017
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company is encouraging pharmacists to mark National Diabetes Week by re-evaluating their in-store diabetes services and ensuring staff are proactively engaging in meaningful conversations with customers who have diabetes.
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, with an estimated national cost impact of $14.6 billion.1 While the number of people with diabetes in Australia continues to rise, so does the percentage of people who require insulin to manage this condition.2,3
There are over 390,400 people with diabetes who required insulin therapy registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). This represents 31% of all people with diabetes in Australia and the equivalent of nearly 60 people who require insulin registering with the NDSS every day.2
“Correct injection technique is an area that is infrequently discussed, yet it’s a critical component of treatment and many people with diabetes find it challenging. Pharmacy staff can play a crucial role in encouraging people with diabetes who inject their medication to adopt better injection technique, which in turn may lead to better health outcomes,” said Hilary Crilly, Managing Director at BD Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking recently at the first-ever Australian and New Zealand Forum for Injection Technique & Therapy Expert Recommendations (FITTER) – sponsored by BD and supported by leading independent diabetes organisations including the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA), National Association of Diabetes Centres (NADC), and Western Sydney Diabetes – Ms Teresa Di Franco, Pharmacist and Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Perth Diabetes Care said pharmacists often see people with diabetes more regularly than that person’s own diabetes educator or general practitioner.
“I’m sure every pharmacist has noticed an increase in the number of patients with diabetes walking through their pharmacy doors. For that reason alone, it is critical that pharmacists are well-versed in this chronic health condition, including all types of diabetes and the differences in their management,” said Ms Di Franco.
The new Insulin Delivery Recommendations (FITTER) and Golden Rules of Injection Technique, published in the esteemed US medical journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, are based on the latest clinical evidence and reflect the results of the largest worldwide injection technique survey ever performed for people with diabetes.4 The survey was conducted in 423 centres across 42 countries and gained responses from more than 13,000 people.5,6
In line with the new FITTER recommendations and Golden Rules of Injection Technique, the ADEA “Clinical Guiding Principles for Subcutaneous Injection Technique” have been updated and were published in March 2017, and are now available online.7
The FITTER outcomes and Golden Rules of Injection Technique are a critical resource to ensure all diabetes healthcare professionals – including pharmacists – are collaborative and consistent in their clinical approach, which in turn will ensure optimal patient support and therapy outcomes.4
“Even people who have been injecting their diabetes medication for several years, poor or inconsistent injection technique can develop over time, impacting on blood glucose control and health outcomes which emphasises the ongoing need for quality education and meaningful engagement with the patient. Everything from the pen device, the use of short (4mm or 5mm) pen needles, to something as simple as ensuring that people with diabetes understand the importance of correctly rotating their injection sites and practically how to do that, are areas that pharmacists can play a crucial role,” said Ms Di Franco.
“If pharmacists are not already having these important conversations with customers who inject their diabetes medication, National Diabetes Week is a timely reminder to put it on the agenda,” Ms Di Franco continued.
National Diabetes Week is marked annually in July and aims to raise awareness of all types of diabetes in the community.
BD is committed to working closely with healthcare professionals and their local networks to uphold best clinical practice and drive collaboration to better support diabetes patients and improve treatment outcomes.
The FITTER recommendations, including the Golden Rules of Injection Technique, and details of the global injection technique survey can be accessed via the below links:
New Insulin Delivery Recommendations
Worldwide Injection Technique Questionnaire Study: Population Parameters and Injection Practices
Worldwide Injection Technique Questionnaire Study: Injecting Complications and the Role of the Professional
About BD
BD is a global medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. BD leads in patient and health care worker safety and the technologies that enable medical research and clinical laboratories. The company provides innovative solutions that help advance cellular studies and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management, promote infection prevention, equip surgical and interventional procedures, optimize respiratory care and support the management of diabetes.
The company partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. BD has more than 45,000 associates across 50 countries who work in close collaboration with customers and partners to help enhance outcomes, lower health care delivery costs, increase efficiencies, improve health care safety and expand access to health. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com
About FITTER
FITTER is the latest in a series of scientific seminars sponsored by BD to improve the management of Diabetes for health care professionals and patients around the world. FITTER seeks to promote evidence based clinical best practice, safety and self-care of diabetes injectable and infused therapies which will lead to improved health outcomes, well-being, lower health care costs and reduced burden on care providers and wider society. The congress marked a major milestone in the history of diabetes care, bringing about a paradigm shift where Injection and Infusion Technique is regarded as important as insulin, diet and activity.
FITTER provides all clinicians who care for people with diabetes using injectable therapies with the most up-to-date clinical evidence, analysis of the results of the largest injection technique study in the world and the ‘new’ international injection technique recommendations, delivered to the highest academic and scientific standards.
Full implementation of the ‘new’ International Injection Technique Recommendations could help patients to:
• Achieve their HbA1c targets
• Reduce the incidence of lipohypertrophy
• Reduce their excess insulin use
• Avoid complications
• Improve their health outcomes
New recommendations are based on the results of the largest injection technique study in the world, organized by BD from February 2014 to June 2015, with 13,289 respondents from 42 countries. By learning from best practice globally, health care professionals may be better placed to help their patients.4-6
BD Medical – Diabetes Care Australia: Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd, 4 Research Park Drive, Macquarie University Research Park, North Ryde, NSW. 2113. ABN 82 005 914 796. Toll free telephone: 1800 656 100.
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References:
1. Diabetes Australia. 2017. Diabetes in Australia. Available at: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/diabetes-in-australia [Accessed 25 June 2017].
2. NDSS Insulin Therapy Statistical Snapshot March 2017. Available at: https://static.diabetesaustralia.com.au/s/fileassets/diabetes-australia/08a297d5-1dce-4710-ab1a-0e669ce756cd.pdf [Accessed 25 June, 2017].
3. NDSS Insulin Therapy Statistical Snapshot June 2016. Available at: https://static.diabetesaustralia.com.au/s/fileassets/diabetes-australia/08a297d5-1dce-4710-ab1a-0e669ce756cd.pdf [Accessed 25 June, 2017].
4. Frid AH, Kreugel G, Grassi G et al. Mayo Clin Proc. September 2016:91(9):1231-1255.
5. Frid AH, Hirsch LJ, Menchior AR et al. Mayo Clin Proc. September 2016:91(9):1224-1230.
6. Frid AH, Hirsch LJ, Menchior AR et al. Mayo Clin Proc. September 2016:91(9):1212-1223.
7. Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA). March 2017. Clinical Guiding Principles for Subcutaneous Injection Technique. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.adea.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Injection-Technique-FINAL_170323.docx.pdf [Accessed 7 July, 2017].