New Pump on the Block
The OmniPod gives you more freedom. There’s no tubing, and you can wear it in the shower!
About the size of a plum tomato, the OmniPod is convenient and discreet.
When you first started using your insulin pump, it’s likely your life changed completely. You no longer had to give yourself injections but were still able to keep your blood sugar under control.
Now, there’s a new and improved pump, called OmniPod. “This new pump doesn’t require tubing, so it’s more discreet than other pumps,” says Justine Fierman, certified registered nurse practitioner and diabetes educator at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “Some people hesitate to use a pump because they’re afraid the tubing will tangle or pull out of their skin. That’s not a problem with OmniPod.”
How does it work? The disposable pump lies flat against your skin under your clothing. A Personal Diabetes Manager, or PDM, wirelessly communicates with your pump. It “tells” the pump to inject the canula and needle (you have to insert the needle yourself with a traditional pump), and when to deliver insulin. It also monitors the pump’s operation, contains a blood glucose meter and stores your records. “You test your blood sugar and enter how many carbohydrates you will be eating” Fierman says. “The meter ‘talks’ to the pump, which dispenses insulin into your body.”
When it’s time to replace the pump, an alarm sounds, the insulin stops flowing and you dispose of the Pod (you keep the PDM). You attach another pump to your skin and off you go. “You may be able to ‘cheat’ and wear a traditional pump longer than three days, but that’s not safe,” Fierman says. “The Omnipod doesn’t let you bend the rules - and that prevents your insulin from degrading and you from getting infections where you insert the needle.”
Helwig Health and Diabetes Center will offer OmniPod insertion classes within the next few months. Because the device is new, insurance companies may not yet cover its cost. Learn if your insurance will cover the expense by calling your carrier.
Want to Become a “Pumper?”
Take a class!Learn whether pump therapy is right for you or get hands-on training on how to use your pump at Helwig Health and Diabetes Center’s classes. All you need is your physician’s referral. After we receive your referral, we’ll contact you to schedule your first session. Here’s a sample of our classes, offered days, evenings and weekends:
Introduction to Pumping. These information sessions discuss pump therapy to help you decide whether using a pump may be right for you. You can see equipment options that can help you choose a pump. Participants: Anyone taking insulin.
Intensive Insulin Management. Learn the skills needed for successful intensive insulin therapy, such as carbohydrate counting and insulin adjustment. Participants: Anyone taking insulin.
Button-Pushing. In this class, you’ll receive hands-on training on the pump you selected at the introductory class or with your provider. Bring the pump you selected to use. Several different pump brands are offered. Participants: Pump users.
Pump Insertion. You’ll learn how to insert the needle of your chosen pump during this class. Participants: Pump users.
Pumper's Support Group. Anyone on pump therapy can join this support group, where they will be able to share their concerns and gain support and ideas from other pumpers.
Want to ask your doctor for a referral? Download a referral form for your physician to complete and return to Helwig Health and Diabetes Center.
Nutrition education
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
