User's Manual

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Possible causes of DKA include:
Improper use of insulin.
•
Infection or illness.•
Stress.•
Your risk of DKA is lessened if you follow these guidelines:
Work with your healthcare professional to make sure your pump is programmed properly, that you know how to
•
use your pump, and that your selected bolus and basal insulin doses are appropriate.
Always have insulin and reservoirs available.
•
Keep your emergency kit with backup insulin supplies with you at all times.•
Monitor your blood glucose level closely when you are ill or during periods of high activity or stress.•
Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about DKA or what you can do to prevent it.
How Illness Aects Blood Glucose Levels
Infection or illness is usually accompanied by higher than normal blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Your
insulin needs will most likely increase when you are ill. Follow these guidelines:
Insulin must be taken when you are ill; contact your healthcare professional for specic advice, but do
• NOT stop
taking basal insulin, even if you feel too sick to eat.
Check your blood glucose level every 2-4 hours.
•
Check your blood or urine for ketones;•
Your insulin pump can be programmed with a basal insulin pattern that can be used when you are ill (see Section
7); you may want to talk with your healthcare professional about this option.
Sick Day Management
When you are sick, your body’s stress level increases. The body produces hormones to help ght o the sickness.
However, there are side eects: blood glucose levels increase and insulin’s ability to lower blood glucose levels
decrease. In this situation, blood glucose levels are much more dicult to keep in your target range, which could
lead to DKA.
You need to plan ahead, work with your healthcare professional, and prepare a sick day plan in advance. The
plan should include:
When to call your healthcare team.
•
How often to test blood glucose.•
When and how often to test for ketones.•
What medicines to take.•
A plan for eating.•
Contact numbers for your healthcare team.•
How Exercise Aects Blood Glucose Levels
Exercise can help lower blood glucose levels. The more active you are, the more dramatic this lowering will be. When
starting or stopping an exercise program (or increasing or decreasing your level of activity), you may have to adjust
your basal rates. Your food intake may also need to be adjusted.
Your insulin pump can be programmed with a basal insulin pattern or a temporary basal rate that can be used on
days you are exercising (see Section 7.6). You may want to talk with your healthcare professional about this option
or any other questions you may have about how exercise aects your blood glucose levels and insulin needs. In
addition, there are other resources that may be helpful to understand the impact of exercise on your diabetes. See
the Resources section of this User Guide for additional resources on exercise and diabetes.
Your Daily Kit
You must have a backup plan in case something goes wrong with your pump or you have a medical •
emergency. Keep a daily kit with you at all times. Let family members, co-workers, and close friends know
where it is and how to use it. Your kit should include:
Blood glucose monitoring supplies.
•
Ketone monitoring supplies.•
Glucose tablets/gel or liquid or other sources of carbohydrate to treat a low glucose.•
A Glucagon Emergency Kit (Glucagon Emergency Kits have an expiration date; check frequently to make sure •
your kit has NOT expired).
An extra insulin infusion set.
•
An extra unopened pump reservoir.•
An extra AAA alkaline battery.•
Dressings and adhesives.•
Spare battery cap.•
Insulin syringe and short or rapid-acting insulin vial or insulin pen. Remember, insulin is sensitive to temperature •
extremes. Replace your spare insulin monthly.
Discontinuing Pump Use
If you and your healthcare professional determine that stopping pump therapy makes sense, you must be prepared
to switch to an alternate insulin therapy method.
Medical Procedures
You may need to suspend pump use for/during certain medical procedures. Keep these points in mind:
Do
• NOT expose your companion or pump to MRI, X-ray, CAT scan, or ultrasound equipment. A LWAYS discon-
nect your companion and pump and store it away from the machines. Do NOT bring the companion and/or
pump into the procedure room at any time.
Talk with your healthcare professional about whether or
• NOT you should use your pump during outpatient pro-
cedures, hospitalizations, surgeries, or ER visits.
Section 12: Appendices
Appendix A: Table of Settings
Section 11: Manage Your Diabetes Safely
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