Infusion Site Management Guide
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Site Rotation
Site Rotation Patterns
Any method that works well for the
individual can be used. Some suggestions are listed below for those who have
not yet established a site rotation pattern.
Clock method
Have the pump user imagine the face of a clock on the
right side of the abdomen; the first infusion set is placed at 12 o'clock, the
second set at 3 o'clock, the third set at 6 o'clock, and the fourth set at 9
o'clock.
The sets are then moved to the other side of the abdomen and the above steps are repeated.
New sites should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) away from a previous site.
Quadrant method
Divide the abdomen into four quadrants.
Rotate within quadrant 1, then move into quadrant 2 and rotate within that quadrant, then move on to quadrant 3 and quadrant 4.
Horizontal lines method
Draw imaginary lines across the abdomen.
Start
at the end of one line and move it all the way across.
After that, go to
the next line down and move all the way across, avoiding the areas directly
surrounding the umbilicus.
Site Rotation Frequency
Writing the date of insertion on the
dressing with a permanent marker may be helpful as a reminder to change the
infusion set on the appropriate day.
- Steel needles must be changed every 1-2 days.
- Soft cannulas must be changed every 2-3 days.
Exceptions
During pregnancy, sets should be changed every 1-2
days. The set should be changed immediately if ketones are present or if pain,
irritation, or bleeding occurs, or a correction bolus has failed to bring down
an unexplained elevated blood glucose reading (in this case, an injection
should be given in addition to changing the infusion set).
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Infusion Site Management Guide (Acrobat Reader Required)
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