Glucagon 1mg injection administration for severe hypoglycaemia (Guidelines)

Definition of situation/condition

Hypoglycaemia is a serious condition and should be treated as an emergency regardless of patient’s level of consciousness.

Hypoglycaemia is defined as a blood sugar level <4mmol/L in patients with diabetes. It is a potentially dangerous side effect of insulin and sulphonylureas and some other medication used to manage diabetes.

Hypoglycaemia requires immediate treatment as per the “Algorithm for the Recognition and Management of Hypoglycaemia in Adults with Diabetes mellitus in the Community“.

Severe or prolonged episodes of Hypoglycaemia may require administration of IM Glucagon.

Clinical criteria for inclusion

Definition of the patient group to be treated:

At risk patients are those who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are taking insulin to control their diabetes.

Especially those with strict blood glucose control ie blood sugars between 4 to 7mmol/L or with impaired hypo awareness, cognitive impairment, the elderly and breast feeding mothers with diabetes.

Clinical criteria for exclusion

Do not give Glucagon for hypoglycaemia induced by oral hypoglycaemic agents.

Qualifications required for staff authorised to take responsibility for the supply or administration

Registered Nurse/Midwife/other relevant registered professional.

Initial Training for staff authorised to take responsibility for the supply or administration

Guidance, equipment, training, policies, codes of practice, local guidance.

NHS Highland employees must have completed:

• Medicines Management Learn Pro module
• Learn Pro module Think Check Act
• Diabetes training annual update for Registered Nurses
• BLS training.

Adhere to the guidelines on blood glucose monitoring as per NHS Highland policy.

Undertake appropriate training to carry out clinical assessment of patients leading to a diagnosis that requires treatment according to the indications listed in the protocol.

Competency assessment for staff authorised to take responsibility for the supply or administration

As per policy above.

Ongoing training and competency for staff authorised to take responsibility for the supply or administration

Maintenance of own level of updating with evidence of continued professional development.
Must complete the Professional Education 1 day course annual training provided by Diabetes Specialist Nurses Team.
The Lead Nurse for each area will be responsible for the maintenance of staff records and is responsible for ensuring that he/she is competent, qualified and trained to administer all hypoglycaemic treatments as per algorithm.

Name, form and strength of medicine

IM Glucagon 1mg injection.

Legal status

Regulation 238 of the Human Medicines regulations 2012 (NHRA2012) allows for certain prescription only medicines to be administered by anyone for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency.

The regulations bypass the need to have an instruction to administer from an independent prescriber or a PGD in place.

Route/Method of administration

Intra muscular injection on the antero-lateral aspect of the thigh or upper outer aspect of the buttock.

Frequency of dose/duration of treatment

As per algorithm.

Quantity to be administered and/or supplied

1mg provided in the Glucagen hypo kit.

Powder for reconstitution 1mg vial and prefilled syringe.

Maximum or minimum treatment period

Glucagon may take up to 15 minutes to take effect and can be ineffective in mal nourished patients.

Check blood glucose levels after 10 to 15 minutes if continues below 4 mmol/L repeat the injection of Glucagon.

Follow up treatment

Once blood glucose level is above 4mmol/L give a carbohydrate snack and continue to monitor blood glucose level, do not omit subsequent doses of insulin.

Identifying and managing possible adverse reactions

If an adverse reaction does occur give immediate treatment and inform relevant medical practitioner as soon as possible.

If appropriate, report the reaction to the MHRA using the Yellow Card System

Referral for medical advice

Appearance or suspicion of an adverse reaction, as above.

Facilities and supplies required

Glucagen kit x 2 requires to be kept in the fridge and long acting carbohydrate.

Blood glucose monitoring kit.

Special considerations/additional information

Glucagon must be stored in the fridge.