New Global Insulin Injection Recommendations Published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings

In the ever-evolving landscape of diabetes care, a landmark publication has just been released that could significantly impact the lives of millions of people worldwide. The Mayo Clinic Proceedings has published the FITTER Forward Expert Recommendations, an updated set of global best practices for insulin injection technique and education. This initiative, spearheaded by embecta Corp., aims to enhance clinical outcomes by standardizing and improving insulin delivery methods.

The FITTER Forward initiative is not just an update; it represents a major overhaul of the guidelines first introduced in 2016. The original Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations (FITTER) was developed by embecta, then part of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), to guide best practices in insulin administration. However, advancements in device technology, research, and real-world patient data have necessitated a comprehensive update.

One of the key areas of focus in the new recommendations is the advancements in injection device technology. The updates highlight improvements in needle length, pen needle design, width, and sharpness. These enhancements are aimed at optimizing patient comfort and ensuring correct insulin delivery. For instance, the recommendations state, "New insights on injection device technology, including needle length, pen needle design, width, and sharpness to help optimize patient comfort and correct insulin delivery."



Another critical aspect of the new guidelines is the introduction of standardized injection techniques. These techniques are designed to overcome existing gaps and help prevent complications such as lipodystrophy and inconsistent insulin absorption. This is a significant advancement from previous guidelines, which may have lacked specificity, leading to variations in practice and potential complications.

The updates also emphasize the importance of structured training programs for healthcare providers. These programs are designed to equip providers with practical tools for patient education, ensuring that they can effectively teach patients the correct injection techniques. This focus on education is crucial, as proper injection technique can significantly improve long-term glycemic control.

Patient-centered recommendations and tools are another key feature of the new guidelines. These tools and strategies are aimed at helping individuals with diabetes reduce pain, overcome fear-based barriers, and improve overall adherence to insulin therapy. This focus on patient-centered care is a significant advancement from previous guidelines, which may have been more clinically focused.

The economic implications of these new recommendations are also noteworthy. For healthcare providers, the structured training programs could lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced complications. This could result in lower healthcare costs in the long run, as fewer patients would require additional medical interventions or hospitalizations due to improper insulin administration. As Dr. Pasha Javadi, Senior Director, Global Medical Affairs at embecta, stated, "Proper injection technique is a fundamental aspect of medicine delivery—whether it’s insulin, GLP-1s, or other injectable therapies. By empowering healthcare professionals with the latest research-backed recommendations, we can help improve patient outcomes and ensure that injection therapy is as effective and comfortable as possible."

For patients, the patient-centered recommendations and tools could lead to better glycemic control and reduced long-term complications. This could result in lower out-of-pocket costs for patients, as they would require fewer medical interventions and hospitalizations. As Dr. David Klonoff, Medical Director of the Dorothy L. and James E. Frank Diabetes Research Institute of Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF, and lead author of the publication, stated, "How insulin is injected actually plays a more crucial factor in maintaining target blood glucose levels than many realize. This new recommendation provides healthcare professionals with clear, evidence-based strategies to help ensure that insulin is delivered correctly and safely."

Overall, the implementation of these new insulin injection techniques and training programs could lead to significant economic benefits for both healthcare providers and patients, as they could result in improved patient outcomes, reduced complications, and lower healthcare costs.

The publication, entitled “Advance Insulin Injection Technique and Education with FITTER Forward Expert Recommendations,” is available in Mayo Clinic Proceedings’ April print edition and online. Led by four of the FITTER Forward authors, embecta will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, April 8 at 12 pm EST to highlight the new recommendations. The webinar will also feature a panel discussion where the experts will share insights, answer questions, and discuss the publication’s potential impact in clinical practice.

The FITTER Forward Expert Recommendations represent a significant step forward in diabetes care. By providing clear, evidence-based strategies for insulin delivery, these guidelines have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people with diabetes worldwide. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, initiatives like this one will be crucial in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.