FIT publishes 3rd Edition of Injection Technique Recommendations

The FIT UK Injection Technique Recommendations 3^rd Edition is now available as a free download

The Forum for Injection Technique UK (FIT) has published the 3^rd Edition of its Injection Technique Recommendations, featuring contributions from over 65 clinical experts, along with data from the latest research studies and all new imagery and graphics.

The FIT Injection Technique Recommendations 3^rd Edition offers the most up to date and comprehensive clinical guidance for all aspects of diabetes injection technique. Following a exhaustive review of the latest evidence, the FIT Board, made up of experienced diabetes specialist nurses and infection control and prevention specialists, has incorporated the findings of all relevant studies published in the past two years.

The FIT UK Board sought the widest possible consensus in the development of these recommendations and consulted a broad range of clinical experts. Over 65 clinical experts from across the United Kingdom reviewed both the evidence base and the new recommendations in order to offer detailed feedback and guidance for the development of the final draft. All contributors to the latest edition are named in the recommendations.

Each section within the new recommendations has been thoroughly reviewed and updated, with highlights including a focus on the screening, prevention and management of lipohypertrophy and extended information on intramuscular risk and optimal injection technique.

The recommendations also provide dedicated guidance on safety and include a hand hold guide for complying with the EU Safety directive, risk assessment tools and comprehensive guidance on how to implement safety engineered devices to both minimise risk to healthcare workers and support optimal patient care.

Debbie Hicks, Nurse Consultant – Diabetes (Chair) Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust and Chair of the FIT UK Board, says:

The FIT Injection Technique Recommendations 3^rd Edition has been influenced by all recent, relevant research into diabetes and injection technique and so offers the most up to date guidance on improving the health outcomes of people with diabetes through good injection technique. We have also had contributions from clinical specialists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so there has been consensus on these guidelines from all over the UK. The recommendations are now available to download free from the FIT UK website, so I encourage anyone involved in diabetes care to visit the FIT UK website.

Implementation of the FIT Injection Technique Recommendations 3^rd Edition by clinicians could offer significantly improved health outcomes for people with diabetes, possibly resulting in lower burdens for health providers in terms of emergency costs, unplanned hospital admissions, lower insulin usage and reduced risk of long-term complications.