Insulin Pump Therapy Protocol Rose Diabetes Center, Denver, CO

Visit 1: Assessment of your medical history, diabetes knowledge and understanding of the risks and benefits of insulin pump therapy. We also include Basic Carbohydrate Counting (or Carb Counting 1) in this visit if needed. 1 ½ to 2 hours can be done in groups, but usually due to timing, is done individually. At this visit, we will give you information about the different pumps that are available on the market. We will also encourage you to choose one and contact the sales representative for the pump you choose. The pump companies will work with your insurance company to determine coverage and what your out of pocket costs might be.

Visit 2: Advanced Carbohydrate Counting (or Carb Counting 2). This includes learning how to study your own food and blood glucose records for patterns/needed changes and carbohydrate to insulin ratios. This is offered regularly as a group class of 1 hour in length, however, it can be done individually.

Visit 3: Pump Mechanics. This visit is to train you in how to operate your pump's basic features and to fill the reservoir, prime and insert the infusion set. Most patients choose to wear their pump home with saline in it to help them practice. It is 1-2 hours in length. It can be group or individual. There will be no charge for this visit as the cost is included in the cost of your insulin pump. Our staff are certified trainers on all the pumps available on the market to date.

Visit 4: Pump Start. This is the visit where you will be started on the insulin pump with insulin. Some physicians prefer that you spend the night in the hospital to help monitor your blood sugars. Others are willing to let you start with the pump in our office. If you start in our office, you will begin with us at 7 - 9 a.m. and stay until after lunch, at a minimum. If your blood sugars are not well controlled you may need to stay with us longer.

Visit 5: Follow-up. One week after starting your pump, you will return to make sure you are not having trouble with pump operations or blood glucose control. This visit is 30 to 60 minutes..

Visit 6: Follow-up. One month after starting your pump, you will return to be instructed in the use of advanced features on the pump and to assess your blood sugar control. This visit is 30 to 60 minutes.

Optional visits. If the clinician who assesses you initially feels you need an update in diabetes education, we will encourage you to enroll in the Core Class. This is a 4 hour class that covers all aspects of diabetes. If you do not complete your "homework" or are having trouble understanding carbohydrate counting, your clinician may ask you to return for follow-up visits until you understand and feel comfortable with carbohydrate counting and calculating your insulin doses for meals.

This Protocol was supplied by
Rosanne Ainscough, RD, CDE
Clinical Supervisor, Diabetes Educator
Rose Diabetes Center
4545 E. 9th Ave, Suite 020
Denver, CO 80220
303-320-2490
Fax 303-320-2585
rosanne.ainscough@healthonecares.com