Pump Life

San Diego Pump Club

To the left, some of the happy pumpers in the San Diego Pump Club. Started in 1982, John Rodosevich ("light of hair", 2nd from right in the back row) heads this group.

Pump Kids

Having the right pump accessory can help make carrying your pump much easier. We carry a variety of products for every situation. You can view the various accessories below and choose the color for your specific pump. Click the links below and visit our store to buy pump accessories online today.

Once the infusion set is inserted and secured in place, loop the infusion line a short distance away and tape this loop against the skin with a piece of Micropore™ tape or other adhesive. This safety loop can be placed about an inch away from the infusion site and prevents it from being dislodged should the infusion line be accidentally pulled.

For sites, most pumpers prefer the abdomen, but anywhere that has padding will do. Normal skin contains bacteria, so it's best to use a sterile prep on the new site prior to inserting the infusion set to reduce the chance for an infection. Bacteria move on the skin, so a wide swath is smart. Scrub the infusion site on the skin with an antiseptic solution. Cleanse a site two inches in diameter on the skin.

Insert the infusion set into the skin through the bio-occlusive adhesive. If using an infusion set with a needle, position the metal needle so it is parallel to your belt line but not underneath it. If using a teflon set, fill the dead space in them after insertion.

Bio-occlusive dressings are preferred for the skin. They allow sweating but keep bacteria from passing through to the skin. This can greatly reduce the risk of an infection through the hole created by the infusion set. IV 3000 by Smith and Nephew or J&J's Bio-occlusive Material are great for blocking bugs. Other tapes which are not bio-occlusive but which have good adhesion are Tegaderm HP by 3M, and Polyskin by Kendall.

Insulin and plastic are not always happy campers together. If insulin crystallizes in plastic tubing, it is usually at the end of the infusion set. This can block insulin delivery and cause high blood sugars. When delivery stops, the pump will sound an occlusion alarm.

Much like a hematoma, a lump can be felt under the skin, usually associated with discomfort, warmth, and high blood sugars. No warning except highs and site discomfort!

Cause

Can occur to anyone. More likely in anyone who has ever had a skin infection (infected cut or scrape) in the past.

Usually starts when the site preparation is poor, sterile technique is not used, or the infusion set is not changed as recommended.

Site Bleed #1

Bleeding occasionally occurs near the skin surface and is seen as a red area (the small red spot to the right) at the infusion site. More common with metal needles, but can occur with any infusion set. Requires visual inspection.

Excess sweating can cause even well constructed infusion sets to come loose and fall out.
No warning except highs or a dangling infusion set!

Tip

Liquid adhesives like Skin Tac-H (Mason Labs) can be brushed onto the skin to increase adhesion. Skin Prep by Smith and Nephew is another one to try.

Solution

Use an odorless, antibacterial antiperspirant on the infusion site. Then swab lightly with an antiseptic pad and place a bioocclusive dressing on the skin.