Basal Insulin Infusion Rate | Bolus dose | Before use | Using the pump | Preparation | Pump disconnection | Infusion systems
Basal Insulin Infusion Rate
Basal insulin is administered continuously – both day and night. It provides insulin demand between meals and at night.
If your need for basal insulin is different at different times of the day, then it is easily programmed in the pump using different basal levels at different time intervals.
The basal level in the insulin pump replaces your previous dose of long-acting insulin.
Bolus dose
The bolus dose is designed to keep blood glucose within the target values after eating, as well as to correct a high level of blood glucose.
A bolus is like injecting short-acting insulin before a meal. It is introduced before each meal. If the mealtime changes, the time for the administration of the bolus also changes.
The dose of the bolus depends on the ratio of carbohydrates / insulin and the sensitivity coefficient of insulin.
The dose of the bolus is determined by the glucose level before meals and the amount of carbohydrates you plan to eat.
Many pumps have the function of administering different types of bolus. For example, when eating fatty foods, you can use the so-called “square” bolus. In this case, the dose of a bolus of insulin for food will not be administered immediately, but gradually, over the time period specified by you.
A “double” bolus (a “double wave” bolus, a combined bolus) combines an ordinary bolus and a “square” bolus, which can be useful when taking mixed foods containing proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Insulin pumps can be programmed to calculate the dose of insulin, depending on the above ratios. This feature is called the Bolus Helper or Advisor.
Before use
- Insert the battery into the pump correctly.
- Fill the syringe or cartridge with insulin.
- Fill the infusion system with insulin, make sure there are no air bubbles.
- The syringe or cartridge must be installed correctly in the pump.
Using the pump
- Establish the required basal level calculated by your healthcare provider.
- Set preferences for the Bolus Assistant / Advisor.
- Insert the bolus following the instructions of the pump.
Preparation of the installation place for the infusion system
- Choose an installation location. Suitable places: stomach, arms, hips, buttocks outside.
- Wash hands.
- Prepare the skin at the injection site.
- Insert the needle manually or using the insertion device (set).
- Fix the infusion system, if necessary.
Pump disconnection
- The pump can be disconnected for 1-2 hours.
- If you intend to disconnect the pump for a longer time, you must enter an additional amount of insulin.
- The catheter can be easily disconnected while taking a bath or other procedures.
- Leave the reservoir, cartridge, or syringe in the pump while disconnecting.
Infusion systems
- Tanks, cartridges, or syringes and infusion systems should be appropriate for your pump model.
- There is a large selection of infusion systems and needles. Cannulas can be inserted perpendicularly and at an angle, they can be made of different materials. The catheter can be of different lengths.