From the Archives - Criteria for a Successful Pumper

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zrebiec Posted: Sun, Dec 21 2008 12:55 PM

rated by 0 users

I am often asked 'who' make a good pump candidate. Here is some of the criteria we look at when determining who would make a great pumper:

Key Characteristics of pump users include:
1. Self-motivated (not willing to settle for just adequate BS control)
2. Accept their diabetes (as much as one can accept a chronic disease)
3. Ability to problem solve (not rocket science)
4. Good common sense (probably most important)
5. Checks BS at least 4-6 times/day, every day
6. Uses I:CHO ratios and Sensitivity Factors to determine accurate insulin dose
7. Adjusts insulin doses based on exercise/activity
8. Adjusts insulin doses on sick days

Advantages of pump therapy:

1. Tight control while minimizing the risk of low BS
2. Reduce wide fluctuations in BS
3. Help deal with the dawn phenomenon
4. Helps to reduce and manage severe hypoglycemia
5. Manage BS during pregnancy
6. Ability to match insulin to food and exercise (easier to exercise and loose weight)
7. More predictable insulin delivery - you can accurately deliver 1/10th of a unit of insulin
8. More flexible lifestyle