Insulin Pump Therapy (IPT) is one option for individuals living with diabetes to self-administer and manage their insulin. The use of insulin pump therapy in the community setting is growing; health care providers in hospital and emergency settings will see increasing numbers of individuals using insulin pump therapy.

• Provincial Guidelines for the Safe Management of IPT in Hospital

Evidence-based provincial guidelines for IPT have been created, and include guidance for self-management of IPT in hospital when appropriate, guidelines for clinicians caring for patients with diabetes, provincial forms and directions for different clinical scenarios.

The DON SCN IPT Working Group created these guidelines to support:

• providers (including non-diabetes specialists) in caring for patients with insulin pumps safely and effectively during procedures and hospital encounters
• patients in continuing to use their insulin pumps in hospitals across Alberta, where safe and appropriate
• patients and families to advocate for self-management
• hospital healthcare teams in knowing how to transition patients to alternate insulin therapy, when the patient is unable to self-manage with their insulin pump

Resources for Patients and Healthcare Providers

• Insulin Pump In-Hospital Therapy
  This site has been co-developed by the DON SCN and patients that use IPT to manage their diabetes and provide easy access to IPT guidelines for both patients and health care professionals.
• Safe management of Insulin Pump Therapy in hospital – Webinar (2016)
  Presented by Dr. Julie McKeen (Endocrinologist and Physician Lead of the provincial improved glycemic management initiative) and Isabelle Emery (Patient Advisor, DON SCN)

Resources for Healthcare Providers

• Provincial Clinical Knowledge Topic: Insulin Pump Therapy, Pediatric and Adult – Acute Care
• Insulin Pump Therapy In-Patient Order Set

Contact Us

For more information, email don.scn@ahs.ca