Insert an Infusion Site That Will Stay Put

Many people with Type I diabetes use an insulin pump, and many of those people have problems making their infusion sites stay put. Here are instructions that help show how to apply Skin Tac and Tegaderm (or similar product, such as IV3000) on top of the site.

Steps

 * 1)  Clean the area with alcohol or IV prep.
 * 2)  Make sure the area is dry.
 * 3)  Apply an adhesive, such as Skin Tac or Mastisol. Apply over a 3"x2" area, wait for the area to be dry and tacky before continuing.
 * 4)  Prepare your infusion set per your pump trainer's direction (place in insertion device, remove paper, prime tubing, etc).
 * 5)  Insert your infusion set; after removing the needle, touch the adhesive circle to make sure it is stuck to the skin.
 * 6) [[Image:6-fold_591.JPG|thumb|Fold Tegaderm]]Fold a piece of Tegaderm in half, so the paper is on the outside.
 * 7) [[Image:7-cut_546.JPG|thumb|cut]] [[Image:7b-cut_140.JPG|thumb|discard the circle you just cut]]Cut a half circle.
 * 8)  Disconnect your tubing.
 * 9)  [[Image:9-peel_192.JPG|thumb|peel backing off]]Peel the backing from your adhesive, leaving the top piece (IV3000) or frame (Tegaderm) in place
 * 10)  [[Image:10-apply_975.JPG|thumb|]]Apply the barrier over the site, making sure to avoid covering any hard plastic parts
 * 11)  [[Image:11-remove_146.JPG|thumb|]]Remove the frame (or top layer of IV3000) - make sure the barrier is laying flat, especially around the corners
 * 12)  Reconnect the tubing - if you have difficulty getting it to click, check to make sure the barrier isn't on top of any of the hard plastic site pieces.

Tips

 * Use a lidocaine cream such as EMLA to numb the area. Some users will just hold an ice cube on the surface for a minute or so.
 * If the patient has any hair around the infusion site, even short or fine hairs, shaving the area is recommended. The cleaner and smoother the surface, the better the adhesives will stick.
 * Wash your hands before you begin.
 * Calendula cream on the previous site will prevent water lumps or irritation from forming.

Things You'll Need

 * Tegaderm/IV3000
 * Alcohol or IV Prep
 * Infusion set
 * Scissors
 * Mastisol or Skin Tac

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection
 * How to Tell if You Have Diabetes
 * How to Cope With a Diagnosis of Diabetes
 * How to Improve Your Health as a Diabetic
 * How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
 * How to Make Diabetic Brownies