Top 5 insulin pump therapy tips you need to know during COVID-19
One of the CDC's recommended practices to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, is cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects daily. Insulin pumps are kept close to the body and touched often out of necessity. We suggest cleaning your pump along with your other frequently handled objects. When cleaning your pump, use a damp lint-free cloth. Do not use household or industrial cleaners, solvents, bleach, scouring pads, chemicals, or sharp instruments. Never submerge the pump in water or use any other liquid to clean it. Do not place the pump in the dishwasher or use hot water to clean it. If needed, use only a very mild detergent, such as a bit of liquid soap with warm water. When drying your pump, use a soft towel.
INSULIN PUMP THERAPY TIPS
Update important medical contact info – Primary care provider, endocrinologist, diabetes educator
Know how to access basal rates, I:C (insulin to carb) ratios, ISF (insulin sensitivity factor) and target glucose values from the pump and write them down in a safe place. If the pump fails for whatever reason, you won’t be able to retrieve this information. Contact 1-800 number for your pump customer support service listed below to learn how to access these pump settings if you need assistance
Have MDI (multiple daily injection) supplies as a backup (both long acting and rapid acting insulin) - preferably a month’s worth at least
If you run out of insulin, do not take other people’s extra insulin (especially long actinginsulin) to put in your pump
Obtain extra supplies, if possible
Pump supplies
Batteries
Pump reservoirs
Insulin infusion sets
Tape (such as Hy-Tape, IV3000, Micropore, Polyskin, Tegaderm, and Transpore)
or stronger adhesive products (such as Mastisol) to keep the infusion set in place
Glucose monitoring and testing supplies
Glucometer
Test strips
Lancets
Alcohol pads
Insulin pen needles
Ketone strips
Glucagon (if previously prescribed)
Extra glucose tablets/gels
Medtronic
Diabetes Shop website will make supply ordering easy and bring more transparency to the timing of your shipments. Use this tool to manage your supply needs, see your target ship dates and track your orders 24/7 with no phone wait times.
Know where to access the phone number to call the pump company – The 1-800 number located at the back of your pump
Customer service through Medtronic 24 -Hour Technical Support 1(800-646-4633).
Omnipod
Encouraging PWD (person with diabetes) to continue to place any orders online and to use the available courier delivery options.
Customer Care team 1(800) 591-3455.
Tandem
Contact Tandem Diabetes Care customer support team using phone number: 1(858) 366-6900
CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR (CGM) CARE TIPS
Wipe the outside of your CGM transmitter with a damp lint-free cloth or isopropyl alcohol wipe between uses.