Using your insulin pump

For your initial day of pump insertion and training, you will be admitted to the RMH as a private day patient.

You need a referral from an RMH Endocrinologist and private health insurance with a basic hospital level of cover (including admission and full cover for prosthesis) to enrol into the insulin pump program. Your health insurer will usually require you to have taken out cover for at least one year before your claim.

In preparation for pump training, you need to:

• Obtain a letter of referral from your RMH Endocrinologist
• Attend a pre-pump group which offers information on various insulin pumps and the requirements / pre-requisites for pumping
• Attend the Royal Melbourne Hospital Pump Clinic to assess your suitability for a pump
• See a dietitian to learn carbohydrate counting and gain a letter confirming you are able to accurately count carbohydrate
• Obtain a letter from your health insurance company confirming the cost of the pump will be covered in full
• Test your blood glucose level regularly throughout the day and record your results
• Complete online learning module specific to the pump you have chosen
• Order your NDSS pump consumables at least 3 weeks before your pump training appointment
• Collect all additional supplies including insulin, blood ketone tests strips, emergency "hypo food" and alcohol swabs
• Use the "My Pump Preparation Record" checklist to make sure you have followed all the necessary steps to be well prepared for your pump start

After commencing pump therapy, you will need to attend face to face follow up appointments at:

• 1 day
• 1 week
• 1 month
• 6 months
• 1 year

Education on how to upload your pump and interpret the information is an important part of your initial training. The Diabetes Education Service can assist you with using this information to adjust your pump settings and offers regular contact via phone and email during the initialisation phase.

Being in touch with your team regularly is recommended for optimal stabilisation while you're learning to use your new pump. This will set you up with the skills and confidence you need to be independent using pump therapy.

There are three pumps with consumables available on the NDSS in Australia. Choosing which pump is right for you can sometimes be a difficult decision. The insulin pump comparison chart provides a quick reference for comparing each of the pumps. All three pumps are available for training at the RMH.

Find out more about diabetes and insulin pumps.

If you decide to start on an insulin pump, you're going to have a bit more "stuff" to carry around. Keep it compact and organised with these great kits by Diabete–ezy.

For your pump upgrade / replacement insertion and training, you will be admitted to the RMH as a private day patient.

You need a referral from an RMH Endocrinologist and private health insurance with a basic hospital level of cover (including admission and full cover for prosthesis) for enrolment into the RMH pump upgrade/replacement program.

Your health insurer will usually only provide cover for a pump upgrade / replacement if your current pump is greater than 4 years old and / or out of warranty and faulty and on recommendation from your Endocrinologist. Check with your health insurer about what their policy is.

In preparation for your pump upgrade / replacement, you need to:

• Obtain a letter of referral from your RMH endocrinologist
• Attend the Royal Melbourne Hospital Health Pump Clinic phone assessment to assess your needs
• Attend a refresher appointment/s with a dietitian (recommended)
• Obtain a letter from your health insurance company confirming the cost of the pump will be covered in full
• Frequently test your blood glucose level and record your results
• Complete the online learning module specific to the pump you have chosen
• Order your NDSS pump consumables at least 3 weeks before your pump training appointment
• Collect all additional supplies including insulin, blood ketone tests strips, emergency "hypo food" and alcohol swabs

We recommend uploading your pump with your current settings before your admission day. Use the "My Pump Preparation Record" checklist to make sure you have followed all the necessary steps to be well prepared for your pump start.

After commencing on your upgraded / replacement pump, the Diabetes Education Service offers contact via phone and email. You're in charge here, but if you need a refresher course we're here to help, without judgement.