Diabetes care areas - click here to navigate to care area page
Ask a question
If there's something you'd like no know and you can't find it on our website please fill in the short form below and we'll get back to you. We aim to respond to questions within 5 working days.
Name:*
Job title:
Organisation:
Email:*
Telephone:
Question:*
Please tick this box if you do not want to
receive our Newsletter
* Required fields
The team does not and cannot offer clinical advice. If you have any urgent medical enquiries we urge you to contact your GP, or NHS Direct at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or by calling 0845 4647. In an emergency call 999
Insulin pumps
Information
Insulin pumps are miniature-pumping devices that are worn outside of the body. They are connected to a catheter located under the skin in the abdomen, and are programmed to deliver insulin according to your daily regime. Pumps are generally set to deliver steady small doses of insulin, with peaks after meal times. Insulin pumps, when used correctly, allow for close control of insulin levels without the need for multiple injections. Monitoring blood glucose levels is still necessary when using a pump.
Guidance
- In most cases the patient will manage his or her own pump. If not, contact the diabetes specialist team immediately.
- Warning! Insulin pumps contain short-acting insulin. If they are disconnected the insulin disappears very quickly, the glucose rises, and the patient could develop diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma and die. Do not leave the patient without insulin.
- If the patient is too ill to use his or her pump call the diabetes specialist team, or, if unavailable, a doctor immediately.
- If the pump is disconnected the doctor should prescribe subcutaneous insulin or an intravenous insulin sliding scale adjusted according to finger prick blood glucose monitoring.
