insulin pump concern

Aug 02, 2009 11:58 AM

by Shanfuturenurse

I was going to post this in the Nursing with Disabilities forum, but I don't think of my diabetes as a disability so I couldn't do it

If this is in the wrong spot, my apologies!

I wear a pump - absolutely love it, and it's the only thing that keeps my blood sugar in check. I'm working as a CNA now and I'm in an RN program. I work with dementia patients, so I'm always afraid my tubing will peek out and a confused patient will grab it. It's happened once, and another time it snagged on a wheelchair handle. Luckily nothing happened, other than some soreness. My pump is too heavy to hook on my scrub pants so I've been clipping it to my underwear. I tried belts beneath my clothes but ended up getting a bruise from it, plus access to it was more difficult.

Anyone else wearing a pump? If so, how do you keep it secured? I use the 23in tubing. I've seen some fanny pack type belts to hold it in but I think they'd be too bulky while I'm working. I need some way to keep it secured without it pulling my pants down

Thanks for any input! I appreciate it.

classicdame · Aug 03, 2009, 07:10 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

talk to the diabetes educator at your facility, if you have one, or ask your MD for the mfg. reps number. Call that person for ideas. The ones in my area are all RN's and have seen many types of pumps and many types of people using them. We loop the tubing and put in in place with paper-tape. Coban works too

*ac* · Aug 03, 2009, 07:42 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

I know one person who cuts a hole in the front pocket of her scrub pants, puts the pump in the pocket, then feeds the tubing through the hole. This keeps everything inside her pants.

Shanfuturenurse · Aug 03, 2009, 11:44 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

I tried tape last night, which worked great....although it was itchy and I had to keep reminding myself not to scratch it! I'll call my medtronic rep and see if they have any idea for me. I've also toyed with the idea of cutting holes in my pockets - will have to try that one next.

Thanks for the tips

cocoon2butterfly · Aug 04, 2009, 09:37 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

Lol...

My insulin pump has been cause of great entertainment at work before I figured out the "hole in the pocket" trick, I still can't decide which is funnier, the 10 y/o developmentally delayed CF patient who I couldn't figure out precisely why he was so entranced with my pump until mommy woke up (this was in the middle of the night) and said, "Oh, you have an insulin pump?? So do I!!" Kid's just grinning away at me like, "I tried to tell you..."

Either that story, or the nine-month old who thought the insulin pump tubing was dental floss...

My, my, my, blue bear and I have been through it all, and I wouldn't give it up at all...

And of course, the more than occasional, "Why can't my IV be that cute?" Lol!

Anyways - I second the pocket trick, it does work!

Shanfuturenurse · Aug 04, 2009, 09:47 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

I was in a waiting room once, and decided on a snack. As I was bolusing, the kid next to me is openly staring and his mother apologizes (you know, in that embarrassed mom kind of way lol.) I told her I didn't mind at all, and I explained to him what I was doing. He listened, studied my insertion site, considered what I said very carefully....and then said, in this awe filled voice, "So....you're part robot! Like a cyborg!"

The mom's face was bright red and she was sputtering but I couldn't stop laughing. His logic was correct, and in his eyes I was a low budget version of a terminator

I love how kids think!

So the hole in the pocket thing.....you don't have issues with tugging or anything? I'm just scared the tubing will get kinked or something. Do you use a pants pocket or shirt pocket? I primarily use my tummy and hip area for my insertion sites.

blondy2061h · Aug 04, 2009, 10:40 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

Originally Posted by *ac*

I know one person who cuts a hole in the front pocket of her scrub pants, puts the pump in the pocket, then feeds the tubing through the hole. This keeps everything inside her pants.

That's what I currently do, but I am getting an OmniPod soon, which I'm pretty stoked about.

dansingrn · Aug 05, 2009, 05:51 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

Another option that is very popular with my pediatric patients is to place the site on the back of the upper arm with the tubing pointing toward the underarm. The tubing goes down the inside of the shirt, and the pump clips on the waistband. The tubing is completely under the shirt. The taller teenagers usually get the 42 inch tubing instead of the 23 inch for this method. I know several nurses who clip a small hole in the pocket as suggested by other posters. The tubing is not likely to kink this way. The tubing is very flexible, actually tubing inside the outer tubing, so its difficult to kink.

There is a small round device especially made for coiling up the excess pump tubing, it clips onto the tubing right at the top of the pump. I can't remember who makes it, but I saw it demonstrated at a couple of diabetes conferences. I haven't actually used those in practice. The majority of our patients coil the tubing loosely around a finger, then tuck it behind the pump.

Hope this helps!

blondy2061h · Aug 05, 2009, 09:34 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

It's called the tubeguard made by Unomedical. I tried it once, big pain in the butt.

I've also coiled the tubing on my finger, then clipped the tubing under the pump clip, then clipped the pump to my pants, so the extra tubing it clipped inside my pants.

Shanfuturenurse · Aug 06, 2009, 12:53 AM

Re: insulin pump concern

You guys rock

I knew I could find help here!

I'm 5'10" and I tried the longer tubing once....it was a pain. Literally, because it kept coming loose from my clip and getting caught on stuff. I've never tried to use my arms. Insulin injections, yes....but I'm not sure if I'm coordinated enough to get an infusion set there.

I think I'm going to try a hole in my scrub top. That way my pants won't be pulled down, and I'll still be able to access it easily. No one posted anything about that but I figure it's just as feasible as the pants pocket.

....right?

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insulin pump concern

insulin pump concern

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