Infusion Set and Reservoir Prep

There are a wide variety of Infusion Sets available. Many have an adhesive surface that sticks to the skin. Shown to the right is a Rapid set which has a small 90 degree needle thats easy to install. In this example, a paper covering is removed from the adhesive surface before placing it through the IV 3000 dressing on the skin.

Fill the reservoir with insulin after following the O-ring procedure described in the box above.

Get rid of air bubbles in the reservoir by holding the reservoir in the palm of your hand and pointing the needle up with the air bubble toward you. Tip the reservoir so the bottom or plunger end is slightly farther away than the needle end. Flick the reservoir with a fingernail or pen until the air bubble enters the neck of the reservoir. Then squirt insulin into the insulin bottle to get rid of the air bubble.

Little champagne bubbles are harder to get rid of, but they are harmless. Larger bubbles can displace a significant amount of insulin and should be eliminated. If air bubbles are seen in the infusion line, an inch of air in the line is equal to half a unit of insulin. In most cases, up to an inch of air in the line is not of concern.

Detach the needle from the reservoir and immediately replace it with the hub on the infusion set. When tightening, grip the reservoir at the hub. To avoid hub leaks, be sure that the connection between the infusion set and the reservoir has been firmly tightened.

Look closely for any sign of an insulin leak between the O-rings. Replace the reservoir if any liquid, mist or bubbles are noted. Even seemingly small leaks in this location can cause a rapid loss of control.

Place the reservoir in the pump. Recheck the O-rings and then give 2 unit boluses until insulin can be seen exiting from the tip of the infusion set.

You are now ready to insert the infusion set.