Managing Problems with your Insulin Pump
Insulin pumps are a popular alternative to multiple daily injections of insulin. However, like with any technology, problems can occur.
It is important to know what to do if your insulin pump is not working properly.
Be prepared
There are things you can do to be prepared in case there is an issue with your insulin pump.
Keep the following things on hand:
- A copy of your current pump setting
- Supplies like an insulin pen, syringe or needles to inject rapid-acting insulin
If you travel outside of Canada, contact your insulin pump company at least two to three weeks before your trip to arrange for a travel loaner pump. You can also bring a long-acting insulin pen, needle tips or syringes with you.
If your pump is not working
If your pump is not working, call the pump company’s 24-hour customer service number to report the pump failure.
The insulin pump company can ship a replacement pump to you anywhere within Canada, usually within six to 48 hours, depending on your location.
Insulin dose guidelines
Follow these steps if your insulin pump is not working, or if you are out of infusion sets.
- Immediately check your blood glucose. Also check for ketones if your blood glucose is staying high (above 14.0). Learn more about checking for ketones.
- Give yourself insulin using injections until your replacement pump or pump infusion sets arrive.
- For meals and to correct high blood glucose, use the same carb-to-insulin ratio and correction factor that is programmed in your pump to calculate your insulin dose.
- If you only have rapid acting insulin, take an injection equal to the amount of basal insulin that will be missed in the next four hours. Repeat this every four hours until you start your replacement pump.
Example: John’s basal total is 28 units per day. 24 hours divided by four-hour intervals gives us six injections per day. Next, 28 units divided by six is 4.6 units. (Always round down to the next whole number.) This means John should take four units of rapid acting insulin every four hours for basal replacement.
If you cannot get a replacement pump or infusion sets within 24 to 48 hours, go to a pharmacy, if possible. Get a long-acting basal insulin (that is, an insulin glargine such as Basaglar, Semglee or Toujeo). Replace your total basal insulin for 24 hours with one injection equal to your total basal dose OR divide the total basal dose into two injections (take half in the morning and half at bedtime). Note that Toujeo insulin should be taken only once a day.
Buying insulin
In Canada, you can buy insulin at any pharmacy without a prescription. You will need to pay the upfront cost. You can later submit the cost through your drug plan, if applicable.
If you need emergency pump supplies, such as infusion sets, try calling Diabetes Express, Diabetes Depot or your local pharmacy to see if they have extra supplies. In this case, you will need to pay the upfront cost.