Pump Malfunction Causes

Factors That Contribute to Insulin Pump Failure

Insulin Pumps have come along way, but they aren’t flawless. Failure can occur for different reasons, but most challenges can be easily identified and corrected. Use this list to of the top 15 challenges to identify the culprit.

15 Common Insulin Pump Issues Affecting Use

1.   Loose connections (check them, tighten them)
2.   Kinked or clogged cannula
3.   Air bubbles in tubing from tubing that was incorrectly primed
4.   Cracked tubing
5.   Dislodged infusion set or cannula came out of skin
6.   Ineffective infusion site. Scarred skin or lipohypertrophy (fatty scars under the skin won’t absorb well.)
7.   Site irritation or infection
8.   Empty insulin reservoir (refill it)
9.   Expired insulin or insulin that went bad due to heat or freezing
10.   Incorrect bolus doses or settings
11.   Missed bolus doses (check pump memory)
12.   Incorrect basal rate settings
13.   Pump was left in suspend mode for more than two hours
14.   Old batteries (change them)
15.   Pump malfunction (specific pump company technician can troubleshoot if replacement is needed)

For manufacturer contact information, choose the device from our find & compare insulin pumps page and select the right pump.

Reference: Boldermann, Karen. “Putting Your Patients on the Pump”. 2nd Ed. 2013.