Be prepared before an emergency happens!

Insulin pumps are reliable, but problems can happen. Having an emergency plan and keeping backup supplies on hand can help you stay safe if your pump stops working.

Prepare!

Your emergency kit should include:

• Insulin (your regular supply in the fridge)
• Insulin pens or syringes
• Blood glucose meter and test strips
• Ketone testing strips or meter
• Spare infusion sets, reservoirs or pods
• Batteries or charging equipment - a portable USB power bank is useful
• Fast-acting glucose for treating hypoglycaemia

Documentation:

• Make a back up plan with your health professional.
• Keep a copy of your pump settings in a safe place. i.e. basal rates, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and correction factor.
• Make a list of contacts:
  • diabetes educator or Nurse Practitioner.
  • endocrinologist
  • GP
  • insulin pump and CGM manufacturer's technical support line
  • local emergency department
  • Pharmacist

If your pump stops delivering insulin or cannot be restarted

Act promptly.

• Check your blood glucose level with a blood glucose meter
• Check for ketones if your blood glucose is high (generally above 15 mmol/L), or if you feel unwell.
• Inspect your infusion set or pod for kinks, leaks or disconnection.
• Replace the infusion set, reservoir or pod and assess.
• Contact your diabetes educator or diabetes specialist for advice.
• Contact the pump manufacturer's technical support if the device has malfunctioned.

Seek urgent medical attention if you:

• Have moderate or high ketones.
• Continue to have high blood glucose despite correction insulin.
• Are vomiting or unable to keep fluids down.
• Become drowsy, confused or have difficulty breathing.

These may be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires urgent medical treatment.

Ongoing pump failure

If your pump has been out of service for more than 24–48 hours, arrange follow-up with your diabetes healthcare team to ensure your insulin doses remain appropriate and to discuss repair or replacement of your pump or switching over to multiple daily injections (MDI). If you have not used injections for some time, seek support from your diabetes educator or diabetes healthcare team. They can help you safely transition to MDI and plan your return to pump therapy once your pump is replaced.