Your Insulin Pump Infusion Set Can Make All The Difference
A Typical infusion set is formed from the pump connector, a length of tubing, and therefore the needle or cannula. Different sets suit different people and it's important to experiment once you first get your pump, to seek out out what works for you. If you're having problems with unexplained high sugars when using your insulin pump and you're confident your control should be better, the probabilities are that it's thanks to problems with the infusion set. Tiny blockages can build up within the needle or cannula that the pump can't detect. Changing the infusion set regularlyis significant permanently performance.
KEY INFUSION SET CHOICES
If you're still considering which pump to shop for, you ought to carefully consider the value of the infusion set, as, over time, this cost will overtake the initial cost of the pump.
Here are a number of the key points to think about:
Connection Most pumps use a universal "Luer Lock", which suggests a greater choice is out there. Some use a proprietary lock, which restricts the selection. Some companies are producing adaptors, but check the prices.
Needle or Cannula Needles are good for people with little body fat or who are allergic to cannulas. Needles need changing daily or every other day. A Cannula may be a soft fine tube that's pushed down a steel inserter needle which is then withdrawn. The IV Cannula Manufacturers are more popular, as they're easier for many people. A cannula based infusion set will last up to 3 days.
Insertion angle simple 90-degree needle offers the only and most repeatable insertion. this sort is sweet for those less keen on needles and sort of a fast insertion. Angled sets are available with 30 to 45 deg angles. These offer a greater sort of insertion depths and favor slower insertion.
Needle / Cannula Depth so as to accommodate different amounts of adipose tissue, different insertion depths are available. Typically 2 or 3 needle depths are available and your doctor can advise you.
Tubing length A length of tubing connects the needle/cannula to the connector at the pump. Allow yourself plenty.
INFUSION SITE SELECTION
As with manual injections with an insulin pen, where you found out your infusion set is vital. the simplest areas are at the front and sides of the stomach, acceptable sites are on the surface of the thighs and tops and bottoms of your upper arms.
You should also rotate your site position, some use a clock dial method - imagine a little clock dial in a neighborhood, first use the 12 o'clock position, then 3, 6, and 9. More sophisticated methods are available, but use whatever you'll remember easiest. It's an honest idea to write down a memo, so you remember where in your rotation you're, on the infusion set itself.
SITE USE
Follow these simple steps to make sure trouble-free site preparation and infusion set insertion:
Always start with clean hands, preferably use an anti-bacterial soap
Make sure no hair will interfere with the set, shave as necessary
Clean the world thoroughly and permit to dry naturally
Keep the needle/cannula sterile - don't allow it to the touch anything non-sterile
Infusion set insertion is usually better if you're standing instead of sitting
Make the skin taut and follow any specific manufacturers instructions for the ultimate insertion
Check your blood sugar levels about two hours after a replacement infusion set is inserted
When the time involves remove the set, soften the dressing with water or ointment and keep the skin taut as you remove the set. Keep an eye fixed on the old site and confirm it heals. NEVER reinsert a second hand infusion set! NEVER attempt to immediately reinsert a replacement infusion set for infusion pump.