What is Insulin Pump Therapy?

An insulin pump is a small medical device that administers programmed amounts of rapid-acting insulin into the body to keep blood glucose levels steady. It is an alternative to multiple daily injections (MDI) for those living with type 1 diabetes.

An insulin pump can help with delivering:

  • Basal insulin, also known as background insulin, is needed for between meals and overnight whilst asleep. Basal insulin settings are programmed with the help of your healthcare team

  • Bolus insulin. Bolus insulin can also be administered to cover carbohydrates eaten, or to help correct high blood glucose levels

With just a few button presses, insulin pumps can deliver precise amounts of insulin to the body via a cannula attached to an infusion set. Some examples of pumps is the t:slim X2 insulin pump, Minimed 770G, and DANA-i.

Infusion Sets

An infusion set is a small, flexible tube placed just beneath your skin with the help of an insertion device. There are many kinds of infusion sets available. With your healthcare team’s help, you can experiment to find the one most comfortable for you.

You can disconnect your infusion set for short periods of time for things like contact sports or for showering, by simply unclipping at the site.

Benefits of IPT

For some people, insulin pump therapy offers increased flexibility (1,2), improved blood glucose levels and a better quality of life than administering insulin via injection. Research has shown that insulin pump therapy can also help reduce the frequency of hypoglycaemic events and improve glycaemic control (3).

References:

  1. htps://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Understanding-insulin-pumps.pdf.

  2. htps://baker.edu.au/-/media/documents/fact-sheets/baker-institute-factsheet-all-about-insulin-pumps.pdf

  3. Karges B, Schwandt A, Heidtmann B, et al. Association of Insulin Pump Therapy vs Insulin Injection Therapy With Severe Hypoglycemia, Ketoacidosis, and Glycemic Control Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes. JAMA. 2017;318(14):1358–1366. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.13994

How to choose the right pump for you

Choosing the right device for your diabetes management is an important step! Your healthcare team will be able to assist you in choosing the right insulin pump for you and your needs - whether that be integra􀆟on with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, hybrid automated insulin delivery, slim and aesthetically pleasing, touchscreen capability, water-resistance, or a rechargeable battery for example.

How to choose the right pump for you

Choosing the right device for your diabetes management is an important step! Your healthcare team will be able to assist you in choosing the right insulin pump for you and your needs - whether that be integra􀆟on with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, hybrid automated insulin delivery, slim and aesthetically pleasing, touchscreen capability, water-resistance, or a rechargeable battery for example.

Generally, it’s important to consider:

  1. Your diabetes management, your way

    Many insulin pumps have customisable features to tailor your diabetes management to what works for you. From editable basal settings and in-built carbohydrate calculators, to alerts that help keep your glucose levels on track, it’s crucial that your device has the features that you need.

  2. Integrated technology

    Some insulin pumps feature CGM integration. This means your CGM device can communicate with your insulin pump; show glucose readings, alert you when your levels are heading out of target range, and perhaps even deliver automated insulin corrections.

How to get started

Firstly, speak to your healthcare team to determine whether an insulin pump is the right device for you and your diabetes management needs.

Secondly, it’s important to consider the initial and ongoing costs of insulin pump therapy. Many individuals purchase insulin pumps via their private health insurance, however they can also be purchased outright. Additionally, it’s essential to recognise the ongoing costs of consumables such as infusion sets, insulin cartridges and insulin – consumables which are funded for eligible patients through Pharmac.

Click here to view Pharmac Funding Criteria for insulin pumps.