How to Care for an Insulin Pump

Insulin pumps have made life easier for many people with diabetes. An insulin pump delivers insulin on a regular basis and without the need of injections. There are many parts to an insulin pump so taking care of your pump is essential to get the longest life out of it. Here are a few steps to help you take basic care of your pump.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Sterilize yourself and keep the infusion set sealed and sterile until you are applying it. Be sure to wash your hands well and to scrub the area on your skin where you will insert the infusion site with an IV prep pad or other medical swab. This will help prevent infection and keep components of your pump clean.
2. Insert your infusion site on the area that is best for you and be sure to rotate it around. Your doctor can give you the best places for you to insert your site, which will likely be the abdomen, buttocks or thighs. Be sure to rotate your infusion site so that scar tissue does not build up. Scar tissue can affect how well your body absorbs insulin, which can adversely affect the performance of your pump.
3. Release air bubbles in the insulin reservoir before inserting it into your pump. When you are filling an insulin reservoir, it is common for small air bubbles to get in with the insulin. These bubbles can displace insulin in your infusion line, which can alter the amount of insulin you are actually receiving.
4. Check and replace O-rings on a regular basis. Different models of pumps have O-rings in different places and require you to change them at different intervals. It is important to have O-rings that are fresh and not cracked or broken in order to keep a tight seal on your pump.
5. Replace your infusion set and change your infusion site if you notice any kind of leaks in the line. Also be sure to change out your infusion set regularly. Not replacing your infusion set can cause your pump not to function properly and overtime can shorten the life of your pump.
6. Watch for occlusions and change an infusion set immediately if an occlusion happens. Occlusions occur when something blocks the infusion line. This is often just a kink in the line, but insulin can crystallize in the line and cause an occlusion as well. Most pumps have an occlusion warning.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your doctor to resolve any issues that you have with your pump. Don't be afraid to call if you have problems with the pump itself or with infections at the infusion site.
• Never continue using a malfunctioning insulin pump. If your pump malfunctions, contact your physician or local hospital immediately to arrange for an alternative.