What will my pump team expect from me?

Getting started with insulin pump therapy involves a lot of teamwork between yourself and your diabetes team.

Below is a list of things that your insulin pump team will expect from you to enable a smooth transition:

• Be able to use all technical features on the pump to ensure optimum control of your diabetes 

• Regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels (at least 4-6 times a day)

• To download your pump data on a regular basis

• Keeping a diary 

• Continual reviewing of your basal rates and ratios 

• Counting carbohydrate accurately

• Knowing your sick day guidelines and off-pump plan 

• Attending your diabetes team appointments 

• Maintaining your  emergency kit

• High level of commitment, time and effort required 

Commencing  insulin pump therapy is hard work. Increased amounts of blood glucose and ketone testing will be required during the initial pump start week including some overnight testing.  It may be necessary for you to take some time off work.