What is diabetes?Meet the diabetes teamDiabetes clinicsDose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) Insulin pumps

Insulin pumps were developed many years ago to administer insulin in the same way as the pancreas would in someone without diabetes. Initially they were very large, but modern pumps are the size of a pager or mobile phone.

 

Insulin pumps are used in people with Type 1 diabetes who have not been able to control their blood sugars despite using different insulin regimens and undergoing intensive education e.g. Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE).

 

> Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE)

 

The insulin pump delivers quick acting insulin (e.g. Humalog or Novorapid) from a reservoir through an infusion set and catheter that is placed under the skin at a pre-programmed rate throughout the day and night.

When the person eats a meal containing starchy food or carbohydrates (such as bread, potatoes, cereals, fruit, etc.) they enter their blood sugar levels and amount of carbohydrate they have eaten into the pump and the pump suggests an amount of insulin that should be given to cover the blood sugar effects of the meal.

 

The infusion set, catheter and reservoir with insulin need to be changed on average every 2 – 3 days.

 

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend guidelines for the use of insulin pumps or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. More information can be found on the NICE website

 

 

Advantages of insulin pump therapy

• Able to closely mimic normal physiological insulin needs

• Increased flexibility

• Increased quality of life

• Decreased risks of diabetic complications by achieving good diabetic control

• Fewer injections as the infusion set and catheter is only changes very 2 – 3 days

Disadvantages of insulin pump therapy

• 24 hours, 7 days a week attachment to a device

• Requires close daily monitoring of blood sugar levels (6 – 12 tests per day)

• Requires commitment 365 days a year

• Requires accurate carbohydrate counting

• Potential infusion set and catheter problems

• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) or serious life threatening illness, caused by high blood sugar levels, can occur more quickly if the pump is not properly managed

 

 

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