How to handle an insulin pump malfunction

Your insulin pump can be a lifesaver. Getting it was likely one of the best things that's happened to you since your diabetes diagnosis. You rely on it to keep your blood sugar levels in range, helping you avoid manual checks that can be both time-consuming and painful.

It's tempting to assume your pump will function perfectly all the time, but the truth is no technology is perfect. As much as you'd like to sit back and assume your pump will always function properly, it's a good idea to have a backup plan just in case of an insulin pump malfunction.

We've got you covered. Here's what you need to know to safely manage an insulin pump malfunction, as well as some backup strategies to keep in mind.

5 steps to take if your insulin pump stops working properly

While device makers design insulin pumps to function accurately around the clock, the occasional glitch has been known to occur. Accordingly, it's wise to be prepared. If you experience an insulin pump malfunction, these five steps can help you stay safe and work toward a solution:

1. Don't panic. This may be easier said than done, but it's important to remain calm. You can handle this! Pull out your backup kit to take stock of what you have and what you'll need.
2. Check your blood sugar. Next, call your physician, explain the situation, and ask what dose of insulin you should inject using your backup pen or vial and syringe.
3. Contact the manufacturer. Once your blood sugar levels are taken care of, call your pump's customer service line and explain that the device has stopped working. The customer service representative will likely walk you through a series of steps designed to troubleshoot your pump, and they may be able to determine how to fix your pump right away.
4. Go analog. If one of the pump's critical components needs repair, you may need to wait for a replacement pump or parts. In that case, you'll need to rely on your backup pen or vial and syringes for several days. Again, it's wise to call your physician's office and ask for advice. In many cases, your bolus insulin needs will remain about the same, but you'll need to add an injection of long-acting insulin to replace the basal insulin that your pump would normally deliver. If you're unable to use your continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during this time, you can opt to use a glucometer for testing.
5. Make a plan to reconnect. When you receive your new pump or parts, get advice from your healthcare team about how to safely transition off the injectable insulin and back onto the pump alongside your CGM.

What to include in your backup kit

Some people hardly notice they're wearing a pump, while others feel annoyed at the need to deal with infusion sets and insulin reservoirs on a daily basis. No matter how you feel about your pump, chances are you're not too keen on the idea of adding a backup kit to the things you need to carry around with you every day. Regardless, it's crucial.

Insulin pumps are the most advanced treatment that exists for diabetes, but a backup kit is still a must-have in case of an insulin pump malfunction. As it's not possible to predict when any piece of technology might malfunction, your backup kit needs to be with you all the time.

Here's what you may want to include in your kit:

• Alcohol swabs
• Extra batteries for your pump
• Extra infusion sets/tubing
• An extra reservoir of insulin for your pump
• An insulin pen (or a vial of insulin and a syringe for injection)

Important numbers to have on hand

An insulin pump malfunction isn't fun. If you're not sure how to contact your doctor or are missing a serial number for your pump, you could have a seriously stressful situation on your hands!

To avoid all the extra stress, consider keeping these numbers programmed into your phone:

• Your physician's office
• The phone number for your pump's customer service line
• The serial number for your pump

It's a good idea to share these numbers with friends and family who spend a lot of time with you as well, just in case. Having these numbers handy won't magically fix a pump malfunction, but it can help get you back on track with your pump as quickly as possible.

Your #insulinpump can be a real lifesaver, but it may not always work perfectly when managing #diabetes — so it's wise to have a #backup plan just in case of an insulin pump malfunction. Here's how to #beprepared via @edgeparkmedical Tweet

They may not be perfect, but there's no doubt that insulin pumps are incredible devices. Don't let a potential insulin pump problem get in the way of your life. Grab your backup kit, plug those numbers into your phone, and use your pump and CGM to experience the most freedom and flexibility available to people with diabetes today.

Curious to learn other tips and tricks associated with diabetes management? Check out the library of informative articles on Health Insights.