Intravenous administration requires regular insulin. No other type of insulin can be administered by I.V. route. Because multiple types of insulin are usually stocked in patient-care areas, the potential for using the wrong type of insulin is great. If possible, solutions should come directly from the pharmacy. Another concern with insulin I.V. administration is that the drug absorbs to the surfaces of fluid containers and tubing.
Larger doses promote less absorption.
When an abbreviation is misread, it's usually interpreted as a zero, resulting in doses 10 times higher than what was ordered. The immediate effect of I.V. drugs, the acuity level of patients requiring I.V.s, and the narrow margin of safety for some of these drugs combine to demand a collaborative effort from all caregivers. Medication errors occur due to a problem in the system, not from the failure of one person. Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and representatives from risk management and quality management need to create a system that provides the safest method of medication delivery. Cohen, M., ed.