What is insulin pump therapy?

An insulin pump is a small medical device that continuously and precisely delivers programmed amounts of rapid-acting insulin into the body. Insulin pump therapy provides an alternative to injecting insulin and is mainly for those people living with type 1 diabetes.

Insulin delivery using an insulin pump can be programmed precisely to match your body’s needs:

·  Basal insulin, also known as background insulin, is needed for between meals and overnight whilst asleep. Basal insulin needs may vary through the day and overnight and should be programmed with the help of your healthcare team.

· Additional insulin (known as a bolus) can be delivered at any time in order to cover carbohydrates eaten, or to help correct high blood glucose levels.

Insulin pumps consist of the pump itself, a disposable reservoir to store the insulin, and a disposable infusion set (including the tubing that connects the pump to the cannula which is inserted underneath the skin).

The infusion set can be disconnected from the body for short periods of time without removing the cannula (e.g. when showering, or playing contact sports). There are different infusion sets available with either a plastic canular or a needle. Your healthcare team will help you choose the most comfortable type for you.