Abstract
This study aims to identify the current trends and issues regarding the necessity of skin disinfection prior to the administration of a subcutaneous injection. We conducted our literature search based on the integrated literature review method defined by Cooper. Using the keywords “injection” , “disinfection” , “insulin self-injection” , “diabetes” , and “insulin” to search PubMed, CINAHL, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi (the Japana Centra Revuo Medicina) Web, we identified seven Japanese reports and thirteen foreign reports. Of the seven Japanese reports, six reports utilized factual surveys to collect patient information. In Japan, the practice of skin disinfection was commonplace ; however, it was not standard practice outside of Japan. Typically, the medical staff decided whether or not skin disinfection was necessary according to specific guidelines. Interestingly, the foreign studies revealed no correlation between the occurrence of infections and skin disinfection prior to subcutaneous injections, and thus did not strongly recommend performing pre-injection skin disinfection. To date, the cases that necessitate skin disinfection prior to subcutaneous injection have not yet been clearly defined and further studies are needed to clarify the absolute patient characteristics and conditions.
