Biological Contamination of Insulin Pens in a Hospital Setting

Biological Contamination of Insulin Pens in a Hospital Setting Author Michelle Herdman discusses with William Zellmer, Contributing Editor for AJHP, a study in which insulin pens returned to the inpatient pharmacies of two hospitals were examined for the presence of nucleated cells, red blood cells, and hemoglobin. Positive results would suggest the potential for transmission of infectious agents among patients if a single pen cartridge were used for multiple patients. The article under discussion appears in the July 15, 2013, issue of AJHP. For more information visit www.ajhp.org.