Endocrine Abstracts

Insulin is a high-risk medication which has the potential for harm if not prescribed correctly. This audit aimed to evaluate the prescription of insulin in the outpatient setting in St Vincent’s University Hospital. A retrospective analysis of all patient charts from six days of diabetes clinics in 2025 was carried out. Data of 104 patients (67 men, median age 49.5 years, median HbA1c 57.5 mmol/mol) were available for analysis. Insulin was prescribed for all (n = 61) patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 37% (n = 15/41) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. GLP-1 agonists were prescribed for 10% (n = 6) of patients with T1DM and 41% (n = 17) of patients with T2DM. 70% (n = 46, of which 10 are T2DM) of patients prescribed insulin were on a basal/bolus regimen, 7% (n = 5) on a basal- or bolus-only regimen, and 38% (n = 25, all T1DM) on an insulin pump. Basal timing was specified in 30% (n = 15). Needles were prescribed for 82% (n = 62) while needle size was specified in 61% (n = 38). Of those on insulin, glucose test strips were prescribed for 90% (n = 69), lancets for 81% (n = 62), continuous glucose monitoring for 80% (n = 61), glucose shot for 92% (n = 70), and glucagon for 84% (n = 58). Ketone test strips were prescribed for 92% (n = 56) patients with T1DM. In our cohort of 76 patients living with diabetes on insulin therapy, we noted high levels of co-prescription of blood glucose monitoring devices and hypoglycaemia treatment but incomplete prescription on basal timing and needle specification. We suggest strategies such as education for prescribers, insulin prescribing checklist, implementation of prescription template and electronic prescribing.