New Practice Paper: Insulin Pumps With & Without Sensor Integration
Feb 16, 2018, 15:31 PM
Keep up-to-date by reading AADE's practice documents today!
As we continue to strive towards best practice, one resource I believe many of us neglect to remember are the AADE practice documents. They are available with the click of a button and provide guidance on various topics that are well researched, reviewed and reflect the mission of our great organization. The practice committee, made up of AADE members from all disciplines, reviews the papers every four years and updates or sunsets them depending on the decision of the committee and the timeliness of the material. New documents are also written as deemed appropriate by the committee and the board and/or requested by members of the association.
I am fortunate to have been on the practice committee over the last few years and have been a part of the review and development of multiple documents with my colleagues. The process of updating the papers begins with a thorough review of the literature since the previous release. Then the committee revises or creates the document based on the research and shares a draft of the document with the full committee, revising per their request. When there is full committee approval, the completed paper is submitted to the board for final revisions and/or approval.
After reviewing the paper, if you are not a certified pump trainer already, you may decide to become one!
The most recent practice paper released is an update on insulin pumps with or without sensor augmentation. Most people with type 1 diabetes (and some with type 2 and LADA) have the opportunity to choose pump therapy through private or public insurance options and the diabetes educator should be front and center in helping them choose the most appropriate pump that will fit their ability as well as their lifestyle.
The paper emphasizes the importance of our training as educators to provide the best possible information to our patients and to take the time to be thorough in teaching them how to utilize the appropriate functions of their pump. In addition, it is the role of the diabetes educator to partner with the person in reviewing insulin pump and sensor downloads, recommend insulin adjustments in collaboration with their health care provider, and help the person with problem-solving when issues arise with pump wear. Insulin pump therapy is an opportunity for a specialty for the diabetes educator who works closely with providers to encourage an optional tool for insulin delivery. After reviewing the paper, if you are not a certified pump trainer already, you may decide to become one! It requires dedication to provide the best of education, but it is rewarding—particularly when a little one says “I love my pump, it’s just like my dad’s!”
A new paper on professional and personal CGM’s will be released soon! Keep updated on these important papers to help keep you informed on best practices for the diabetes educator!
Have a question about the role of diabetes educators in insulin pump therapy?
Send your questions to [email protected] and we will answer them via Facebook Live Tuesday, March 6 at 10:30 am ET. Follow along on our Facebook page at facebook.com/diabeteseducator.
About the Author:
Carla Cox is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She has been a certified diabetes educator for over 25 years, and served as an assistant adjunct professor for 14 years, teaching in areas of sports nutrition and exercise physiology. Currently she works in Missoula, Montana as a diabetes educator in both in- and outpatient settings.
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