HARMFUL SMALL DETAILS: THE IMPACT OF MISTAKES DURING CAPILLARY GLYCEMIC MEASUREMENT AND INSULIN ADMINISTRATION

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The inadequate monitoring of the capillary blood glucose and insulin administration precautions may affect both glycemic control and the diabetic patient in several ways. Regarding the capillary glycemic monitoring, it is commonly observed the contempt for the attention needed with the reagent stripes, glucose meter and the puncture technique. As for insulin therapy, failure to observe the correct handling, either with its storage, preparation or application, is able to affect negativelly the therapeutic effect of the medication. The main objective is demonstrate the importance of caring in diabetes treatment. METHODS: Literary review based in data of PUBMED and SciELO platform. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Among the recommendations on capillary glycemic monitoring, must be observed the gathering of relevant impact among the following: - The use of non calibrated glucose meters, resulting in wrong values, wich can be altered up to + 29% and -37% compared to the real values. - Lack of finger hygiene at the place of measurement, being found glycemic variations up to 287% of the real glucose; - Lack of drying the fingers after using 70% alcohol before the puncture wich can increase glucose levels up to 8 mg / dl. In insulin administration, the incorrect homogenization of NPH insulin, has variations between 5-214% relative to the control dose. Simple orientations, such as the use of calibrated glucose meter, hygiene and proper drying of the glucose measurement site as well as correct homogenization of NPH insulin have great importance following the diabetes treatment.