By Julia Lindower, MSN, APRN
Ever get that high alarm over the weekend and you look down and (WHAT???) the glucose reading is 400? It’s a good chance there is a pump issue. Hopefully it is something simple rather than your pump has actually failed but here is a list for things to check. Keep it handy because as stress increases memory function decreases.
- Treat the high insulin – Always first. You should have insulin back up for just such an emergency. Use insulin vial/syringe or insulin pen to treat the sugar depending on how high it is. Talk to your provider about how much to give or if after hours, call the on-call provider. But make sure you have insulin on hand to be able to give.
- Are you out of insulin? – seems simple but if you have ignored the insulin low alarms for awhile, this one will happen.
- Did you charge the battery? – best to get the easy ones out of the way.
- Check the insertion site. – Usually this is the problem. If it is a recent change you may have hit scar tissue and the insulin can’t flow properly or the cannula is bent.
- When in doubt change the insertion site.
- Program update deleted insulin settings – this doesn’t happen often but look at the pump settings. If they are gone log into your on-line platform. Your settings should be listed in the last upload report. Don’t remember your password. Talk to the educator. They may have it and can get it to you. Store it in the note section of your phone so you always have it available.
- Call pump provider- If it is not a site, battery setting or insulin problem they may be able to help troubleshoot the issue. They won’t always know your settings so you still need to be able to access your online info.
- When all else has been tried switch to basal and bolus insulin. It is important to always have a back up supply just in case something happens. You run out of supplies, pump failure, etc. keep this and amount needed available so that you are able to switch over and prevent going to the ER.