Hypoglycemia caused by siphoning of an insulin infusion.

Study Objective: To determine--through reconstruction of a clinical situation in which a syringe filled with insulin was removed from the syringe pump, placed above the patient, then emptied into the patient--the different physical forces at work, and to examine the height of the syringe (and thus the hydrostatic force) necessary to move the plunger.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Research laboratory of a university.