When a crash damages your insulin pump or glucose sensor
An endocrinologist and a diabetes educator on keeping insulin flowing
A crash can crack a pump, yank out an infusion set or knock a glucose sensor loose. It can also leave you cut off from your supplies. If you use a pump, you may get little or no long acting insulin from any other source. When insulin delivery stops, your blood sugar can climb fast. Tell emergency staff you use a pump and whether it’s still giving insulin. [1, 2]
Trust a meter reading over the pump screen
If the device took a hit or shows an error, confirm your level with a blood glucose meter. Check the infusion site and tubing if it’s safe to do so. Ask the care team whether you should test for ketones. Don’t guess a replacement insulin dose from what the device screen shows. [1, 2]
If the pump can’t be trusted, contact your diabetes team promptly. Ask for a written plan to use pens or syringes. [1, 2]
Pull together your backup details
The team needs your usual basal settings, meal ratios and correction factors. They also need your current glucose reading and the time of the last insulin your pump delivered. Share the make and model of your pump and sensor. Ask for replacement supplies and a way to check glucose until the device works again. Keep fast acting sugar on hand in case of a low reading. [1, 2]
When it's an emergency
High glucose with ketones, vomiting, belly pain, deep breathing or confusion needs urgent medical care. So does a severe low or being unable to swallow safely. A crash injury, skipped meals and stress can also change how much insulin you need. Set up a follow up visit even after the device is replaced. [2, 3]
Questions for your diabetes team
- What exactly is my backup insulin plan?
- How often should I check my glucose and ketones?
- Who can replace the pump or sensor?
Keep your settings somewhere besides the pump
Store a copy of your pump settings and your diabetes team’s contact details outside the device. [2]
Sources and further reading
- 1American Diabetes Association, insulin pump safety
- 2CDC, diabetes care during emergencies
- 3American Diabetes Association, diabetic ketoacidosis warning signs
This information is general and comes from endocrinology and diabetes education. Anyone who uses insulin needs a personal backup plan from their diabetes team. Get urgent care for signs of a severe high or low blood sugar.
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