New NHS course injects safety into insulin administration process
The national Healthcare e-Academy, in collaboration with NHS Diabetes, has implemented a new online training course on the safer use of insulin.
It is available free of charge to all healthcare workers across the country who treat patients with diabetes and who may have to administer insulin.
The course has been launched in the light of a Rapid Response Report published by the NHS National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) on the safer administration of insulin. It follows a number of safety incidents related to the use of insulin.
The report calls on organisations in the NHS and independent sector to put in place training programmes for all healthcare workers, including medical staff, who are expected to prescribe, prepare and administer insulin. The deadline for implementation is December this year.
'The Safe Use of Insulin' course includes training on the right way and the right time to administer insulin, the right type of insulin to use and the correct doses to give. It can be accessed at www.nhsdiabetes.healthcareea.co.uk or www.diabetes.nhs.uk/safe_use_of_insulin
Anna Morton, Director of NHS Diabetes, said: "Diabetes is a growing problem and it is really important that all health professionals who care for people with diabetes are aware of how to use insulin safely. We are delighted to be able to offer this online training course for health professionals."
Judith Clarkson, divisional director of academies at the Healthcare e-Academy, part on online training pioneer Virtual College, based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, said: "Access to this ground breaking free e-learning course can be gained through a simple online self-registration process.
"The course has been designed so that it easy to complete. It is also extremely flexible and can be undertaken at a pace and place to suit individual candidates, who then have the opportunity to print a learner certificate showing they have successfully completed their training."
The Healthcare e-Academy can be contacted on 01943 885086, or visit <ahref="http://www.healthcareea.co.uk/">http://www.healthcareea.co.uk/