User guide

Sick day management
Managing diabetes during an illness or infection requires frequent blood glucose and urine
ketone testing. Illness and infection put extra stress on the body and often raise blood
glucose. The insulin pump allows you to make changes. It lets you quickly and easily respond
to blood glucose changes due to illness and infection.
Even if you are not able to eat, you need insulin. Depending on blood glucose testing, you
may or may not need to adjust your basal insulin to cover your needs. You may also need
to take frequent correction boluses during illness.
Sick day protocol
• Test your blood glucose every two hours, 24 hours a day.
• Check urine ketones every time you urinate.
• If you are throwing up and/or have ketones, you must call your healthcare professional. They will give
you the proper treatment with fluids and insulin to avoid DKA.
• Consult your healthcare professional about taking more insulin if your blood glucose is 13.9 mmol/L
(250 mg/dL) or higher. Also take more insulin when ketones are fair or large.
• Keep exact records of your blood glucose values, ketones, medication, temperature and all other signs.
• Keep in mind that you need more insulin and fluids when there are urine ketones. This is true even if
your blood glucose is within your target range.
Sick day supplies
You should have the supplies listed below in the house at all times, and carry them with you when you travel:
• Fluids that have sugar (regular soda, juice, jello) to replace solid food.
• Sugar-free liquids (diet drinks, bouillon, water) for replacing lost fluids.
• Thermometer.
• Sugar free medicine for fever, cough, congestion, nausea and vomiting.
• Extra blood glucose and ketone strips.
• Glucagon emergency kit in case of severe hypoglycemia. This can be used if you cannot eat or are
unconscious.
Caring for your diabetes when you are sick is worthwhile and can be a challenge. If you are too sick to watch
your diabetes carefully, ask a friend or family member to help. If there is no one to help you, ask your
healthcare professional for help.
Introduction to pump therapy18