Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Insulin Pump


Currently, I am doing a 4 week rotation at Harold Hamm Diabetes Center on OKC. It might be my new favorite! As a learning experience, they often put interns on an insulin pump for a few days (When you have to explain to someone how to use something, it usually helps if you have used it before: makes sense.) I thought I’d share my experience.


This is the OmniPod. They are disposable and usually last about three days or so. You sleep with it, shower with it, its always there. It can be put wherever you have some cushion, so usually your tummy. It can also go on your leg or the back of your arm, just wherever is most out of the way.


 It has a little needle that you can see through this window. It doesn't hurt, you can't even feel it. This one is just filled with saline, of course.

 This is about the size of an iphone. You enter your blood sugar reading before you eat and it calculates how much insulin to give you based on that, and how many carbohydrates you are getting ready to eat, which you also enter.
 You just prick you finger, put some blood there and presto!


I feel like I have a bit better understanding about it now. It takes a lot of planning, thats for sure. Quite the interesting experience, I'm glad I got to do it! The diabetes center has been amazing...I look forward to it everyday!! I wish it were longer! The good news is I have a few diabetes rotations planned....so cool!