Infusion Site Management Guide

Site Preparation

General Practices to Teach Patients
Antiseptic technique

• Start with clean hands. A proper hand washing technique involves using an antibacterial soap and warm water for 2 minutes, then drying hands completely with a clean towel.
• To cleanse the insertion area, start in the center of the area and wipe outward in a circular motion, cleaning an area about the size of a tennis ball.
• Allow the area to air dry for at least 60 seconds; do not blow on the site to help it dry faster.
• Body hair: Trim the hair around the insertion area or use an electric razor; using other means of hair removal may lead to irritation and/or infection.

Special Challenges for Some Pump Users
Excessive perspiration

• See the product list for extra-strength adhesives
• When using products make sure the skin is clean and DRY between all applications and before insertion.
• Sandwich technique. Cleanse the skin using an adhesive wipe, allow to dry and then apply a sterile dressing. Next, insert the set into the dressing and cover the set with another sterile dressing to "sandwich" the infusion set. It may be desirable to cut a hole in the center of the top sterile dressing to allow for easy disconnection.

Athletes, children, and very active people

• Same as described above for excessive perspiration.
• Place the site in an area that will not be agitated by the activity.

People prone to infection
These individuals, known as “staph carriers,” and people on immunosuppressive agents, should perform a triple preparation procedure:

• Wash the area with an antibacterial soap and let dry.
• Cleanse the area with an antibacterial solution and let dry.
• Apply an antiseptic and adhesive wipe to the area and let dry.
• Should have a low tolerance for changing their sets and should never use beyond the recommended period.

People with needle phobia
Try to alleviate some of the stress by:

• Numbing the site
• Checking the product list for topical anesthetics.

Please Note: Some products can take up to 30 minutes to properly numb the site; it is important that the pump user is capable of inserting the set without numbing the skin for an emergency set change; cold (ice) can be used if no anesthetic is available.

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