Diabetes Education at Griffin Hospital

DERBY –The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free talks about insulin on Tues., March 8 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

 

The discussions will provide a complete overview of insulin, including, insulin basics, different types, ways to inject, where to inject, storage, tips for taking, myths vs. facts, side effects and managing an insulin plan.

 

The 2:30 p.m. session will be in Dining Room Conference Room 2 and the 6:30 p.m. session will be in Dining Room Conference Room 1. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns.

 

Anyone with diabetes and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required.

For more information, call Mary Swansiger at 203-732-1137.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

Griffin's insulin pen problem brings in hundreds for tests

Patrick A. Charmel, president and CEO of Griffin Hospital in Derby, and other health authorities reveal the insulin pen misuse at a press conference in May. Register File Photo

By The Associated Press

Posted: 06/04/14, 9:52 AM EDT | Updated: 50 secs ago

DERBY >> Griffin Hospital says it has tested about 750 patients for hepatitis, HIV and other infections following last month’s announcement that staff had been misusing insulin pens.

The hospital sent letters to about 3,000 diabetes patients dating back to 2008 urging them to be tested after it discovered that nurses had been using the pens on multiple patients, replacing only the needles before each use.
Health officials say the pens could have become contaminated through the backflow of blood.

Hospital officials tell the Connecticut Post that 817 responded to the letter to schedule tests. No results have been released.

Association commends leadership of Griffin Hospital in Derby

WALLINGFORD  – Connecticut hospitals put patient safety above all else.  We should never harm patients, and we never come to work intending to harm patients.  We are concerned about the patients who were impacted by this situation.

Griffin Hospital in Derby today warned patients about possible insulin pen contamination. 

Eighteen months ago, Connecticut hospitals started training their hospital staff in the principles of high reliability.

 High reliability is a safety methodology used in many complex organizations around the world to reduce the risk of preventable harm.  

One of the key elements of high reliability is the institution of a daily safety huddle, during which time staff are encouraged to discuss concerns and issues.

Through its high reliability work, a Griffin Hospital staff member raised the concern about insulin pen use at a hospital safety huddle.

The climate we are trying to achieve is one in which staff are empowered to raise concerns proactively about practices that may cause risk to patients.  

Another element of highly reliable organizations is the concept of transparency, in which we talk openly about mistakes that are made, fix them promptly, and take action to ensure they don’t happen again.

We commend Griffin Hospital’s leadership for taking full responsibility and affirmative steps to address the issue.

While we understand the risk of exposure to be very small, we encourage those contacted to follow the guidance to get tested to put their minds at ease.

 About CHA
The Connecticut Hospital Association has been dedicated to serving Connecticut’s hospitals since 1919.  

Through state and federal advocacy, CHA represents the interests of Connecticut’s hospitals on key healthcare issues in the areas of quality and patient safety, access and coverage, workforce, community health, diversity, and hospital reimbursement.

 This is a press release from the Connecticut Hospital Association.