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New to Pumping?

Barbara A. Bradley, MS, RN, CDE

Jun 1, 2004

Let us be your guide!

So, you aren’t pleased with your blood glucose control.

What to do?

Insulin pump therapy could be the choice to help you achieve near-normal blood glucose levels

Subcutaneous insulin delivery with an insulin pump can closely mimic physiological insulin delivery. Basal insulin can be programmed at variable rates to meet varying energy and hormonal needs. Continuous delivery in smaller increments offers improved insulin absorption compared to large injected deposits of insulin with subcutaneous injections.

Who is a candidate for insulin pump therapy?

People with type 1 or type 2 can make use of insulin pump therapy.

Medical indications for this therapy include, but are not limited to:

Dawn Phenomenon
Hypoglycemia unawareness
Delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis
Wide excursions in blood glucose control despite adherence to recommended meal plans, activity and medication adjustments
Exercise-induced hypoglycemia
Nocturnal hypoglycemia
Neuropathy
Nephropathy
Insulin sensitivity: dosing can be programmed as low as 0.025 on some pumps
Growth spurts of children and adolescents
Pregnancy
Variable lifestyles with changing work, activity, sleep and meal schedules
People who travel frequently
Shift workers

Who can be a successful pump user?

People who have:

Motivation and willingness to learn the skills and take on the responsibilities of intensive management. This is also applicable to parents or other caregivers.
Emotional maturity, not related to an individual’s age. Parents are capable of managing a child’s pump until the child gradually is able to take responsibility for self-management. Parents and other caregivers can be competent in pump management.
Mastery of carbohydrate counting.
Dexterity to operate a pump.
Ability and willingness to perform and record frequent blood glucose evaluations.
Adequate financial resources.

Pump Resources Are Everywhere

Pump manufacturers can provide assistance with obtaining insurance approvals and training. Education and management takes time. Qualified diabetes educators and certified pump trainers are available to assist your practice and your patients. These resources can be accessed through diabetes training centers, independent diabetes education contractors and several diabetes supply businesses.

Empower your patients with a tool that will them take charge of their diabetes, their health and their quality of life.

Categories: Blood Glucose, Diabetes, Diabetes, Hypoglycemia Unawareness, Inspiration, Insulin, Insulin Pumps, Low Blood Sugar, Type 2 Issues

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