| A Typical infusion set is made up of the
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| | amounts of fatty tissue, different
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| pump connector, a length of tubing and
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| | insertion depths are available. Typically
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| the needle or cannula. Different sets
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| | 2 or 3 needle depths are available and
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| suit different people and it is important
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| | your Doctor can advise you.Tubing length
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| to experiment when you first get your
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| | A length of tubing connects the needle /
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| pump, to find out what works for you. If
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| | cannula to the connector at the pump.
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| you are having problems with unexplained
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| | Allow yourself plenty.
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| high sugars when using your insulin pump
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| | INFUSION SITE SELECTION
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| and you are confident your control should
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| | As with manual injections with an
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| be better, the chances are that it is due
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| | insulin pen, where you set up your
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| to problems with the infusion set. Tiny
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| | infusion set is important. The best areas
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| blockages can build up in the needle or
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| | are at the front and sides of the
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| cannula that the pump can't detect.
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| | stomach, acceptable sites are on the
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| Changing the infusion set regularly
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| | outside of the thighs and tops and
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| (typically every 24 to 72 hours dependent
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| | bottoms of your upper arms.
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| on the type) is vital for good
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| | You should also rotate your site
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| performance.
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| | position, some use a clock face method -
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|
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| | imagine a small clock face in an area,
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| KEY INFUSION SET CHOICES
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| | first use the 12 o'clock position, then
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| If you are still considering which pump
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| | 3, 6 and 9. More sophisticated methods
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| to buy, you should carefully consider the
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| | are available, but use whatever you can
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| cost of the infusion set, as over time,
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| | remember easiest. Its a good idea to
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| this cost will overtake the initial cost
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| | write a memo, so you remember where in
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| of the pump.
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| | your rotation you are, on the infusion
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| Here are some of the key points to think
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| | set itself.SITE USE
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| about:
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| | Follow these simple steps to ensure
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| Connection Most pumps use a universal
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| | trouble free site preparation and
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| "Luer Lock", which means a greater choice
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| | infusion set insertion:
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| is available. Some (notably the Minimed
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| | Always start with clean hands,
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| Paradigm range) use a proprietary lock,
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| | preferably use an anti-bacterial soapMake
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| which restricts the choice. Some
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| | sure no body hair will interfere with the
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| companies are producing adaptors, but
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| | set, shave as necessaryClean the area
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| check the costs.Needle or Cannula Needles
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| | thoroughly and allow to dry naturallyKeep
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| are good for people with little body fat
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| | the needle / cannula sterile - do not
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| or who are allergic to cannulas. Needles
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| | allow it to touch anything non
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| need changing daily or every other day. A
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| | sterileInfusion set insertion is often
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| Cannula is a soft fine tube that is
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| | better if you are standing rather than
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| pushed down a steel inserter needle which
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| | sittingMake the skin taut and follow any
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| is then withdrawn. Cannulas are more
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| | specific manufacturers instructions for
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| popular, as they are more comfortable for
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| | the final insertionCheck your blood
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| most people. A cannula based infusion set
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| | glucose levels about two hours after a
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| will last up to three days.Insertion
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| | new infusion set is inserted
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| angle Straight forward 90 degree needle
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| offers the simplest and most repeatable
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| | When the time comes to remove the set,
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| insertion. This type is good for those
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| | soften the dressing with water or baby
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| less keen on needles and like a fast
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| | oil and keep the skin taut as you remove
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| insertion. Angled sets are available with
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| | the set. Keep an eye on the old site and
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| 30 to 45 deg angles. These offer a
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| | make sure it heals. NEVER reinsert a used
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| greater variety of insertion depths and
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| | infusion set! NEVER try to immediately
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| favor slower insertion.Needle / Cannula
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| | reinsert a new infusion set in the same
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| Depth In order to accommodate different
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| | site.
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