We did our training with our endoās Certified Diabetes Educator. All five meetings were scheduled before the first meeting so they knew you would complete the full training program and they would have you in their schedule. This may give you an idea of things to ask about as you progress.
Before the order, we had done the saline test to make sure we like the pod and we did not have severe allergies to the cannula or latex. Before the first day, we also did a test of the Apidra using a sample pen instead of Humalog to check for allergy reaction.
First day, the PDM was programmed using their and our records of Lantus and Humalog use daily (Basals, Carb Factors, etc ). Prior night, we had to transition off of Lantus (not do nightly Lantus to let it run out but test every two hours and adjust with Apidra if too high). Learned to do single Bolus for meals with Corrections to replace Humalog injections. Cautioned to not do correction within 3 hours of meal due to Insulin On Board function. Started fasting/basal testing for over night by testing every two hours overnight for three nights. Samples and RXs for Apidra, new test strips, supplies, etc.
Second day (3 days on pod), the pod was changed with assistance and data downloaded to adjust factors/basal rates. Learned more about IOB and how to do snack bolus without corrections especially if within 3 hours of prior meal correction. Continued with some fasting/basal testing of different parts of the day. We did this starting late June until late July and then had to do some of it again when school started due to different activity schedule. Talked about importance of rotating sites for insulin adsorption and how to pick a good site by looking at flexed muscles, etc.
Third day(1 week later), data downloaded and factors/basal rates adjusted. Talked more about Extended Bolus functions and their use and adjustments to suggested Bolus. Talked about āTemporary Basalsā for exercise (-) or illness (+). Learned about BG History screens that give a BG average by day, week, etc like your BG meter, totals so you can cut down on insulin in the pod if you are not using all of it in three days and tagging of BG. We also looked at reports in download and learned more about the download.
Fourth day, (2 more weeks later), Data dowloaded and factors/basal rates adjusted slightly. More Q & A time available.
Fifth day, (1 month later) Data dowloaded and factors/basal rates adjusted slightly. More Q & A time available.
Getting setup on the pump was fairly time consuming but my son really likes it now. Iām sure some of this could be combined into fewer meetings or we could have downloaded data files and emailed it to the CDE but it was nice to have the extra Q & A time. Reading the Pumping Insulin book and the Omnipod Manual will help. It is a lot to absorb at once when you are in the middle of it with no sleep due to Basal testing all night.
Insulet trainers in Dallas also had a flyer in the waiting room about a monthly āAdvanced Omnipod Pumpingā meeting monthly. If you had really specific issues, you could schedule a private meeting before or after the open / support group type session. We never went but several patients did and learned extra information.
