An insulin pump is a device that helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugar. It’s like an external version of an insulin pump. The device holds insulin in a reservoir and uses it to automatically inject small amounts of the hormone into their body for the day or night, depending on when they need it most.
Start with a strong signal
For the best results, you should start with a strong wireless signal. If you are using an insulin pump and insulin pen together, it is crucial to know how they communicate. For example, when your insulin pump unit and your insulin pen use the same wireless signal, they may interfere. This can cause data errors or even turn off your pump entirely. If this happens, contact customer service immediately so that they can help set up a new channel for both devices.
Check the settings
Check the settings on your pump, sensor, and app. Are they all set to the same frequency? Make sure everything is synced up correctly to get a steady stream of insulin at precisely the right time—test different infusion sites for each injection. For example, if you’re using a cordless insulin pump, try using a different spot each day so that there’s no soreness or bruising from one particular site over another.
Set the right time
Make sure the time is set correctly on your pump. If it’s not, the insulin will be delivered at the wrong time. Set the time to match your local time. This can be done by pressing a few buttons or clicking a mouse button. Keep your pump simultaneously with your smartphone and other devices with accurate clocks. If you’re using a cordless insulin pump, ensure that its battery is charged regularly, so it doesn’t run out during use and cause problems for you when you want to use it again later in the day.
Make sure your sensor is in place and working
Your insulin pump uses a sensor to measure the glucose in your body. This is done by injecting a small amount of blood into the sensor, giving you a reading based on the amount of glucose in the blood. These sensors can be difficult to apply and take time to get used to correctly, so ensure that yours is working properly before putting it on yourself.
Use the pump’s bolus wizard to help you plan meals
The Bolus Wizard is a great tool to help you plan your meals. The bolus wizard is a feature that allows the pump to automatically calculate how much insulin you need based on the foods you intake. For example, if your meal has carbohydrates and proteins, then the bolus wizard will use these factors to determine how quickly you should take your insulin.
Take it off when you shower or exercise
If you don’t take your pump off when showering, exercising or swimming, the water can enter your infusion set and cause it to fail. If this happens while the pump is in your pocket or hanging on a belt clip, you may not know until you use it again and notice that there’s no insulin coming through.
“Importantly, the system cannot adjust your insulin dosing if the pump is not receiving CGM readings. Because there are situations and emergencies that the system may not be capable of identifying or addressing, always pay attention to your symptoms and treat according to your healthcare provider’s recommendations,” says Tandem Diabetes experts.
Hope that this article has helped you understand how to keep your pump working well and ensure that it’s giving you the correct amount of insulin.