Randomized controlled evaluation of an insulin pen storage policy.

Purpose: Results of a quality-improvement project to enhance safeguards against "wrong-pen-to-patient" insulin pen errors by permitting secure bedside storage of insulin pens are reported.

Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled evaluation was conducted at an academic medical center to assess adherence with institutional policy on insulin pen storage before and after implementation of a revised policy allowing pen storage in locking boxes in patient rooms. In phase 1 of the study, baseline data on policy adherence were captured for 8 patient care units (4 designated as intervention units and 4 designated as control units).