Insulin Pump & Infusion Set Placement

Shown here are the best body areas (shaded) for infusion set insertion for the Medtronic 630G, 670G, and 770G insulin pumps.

Education around infusion set use needs to include the following information:

• Avoidance of the 2-inch (5.0 cm) area around the navel to help ensure a comfortable infusion site and to help with adhesion.
• Guidance to not use the same infusion set insertion site for an extended period of time. This practice can cause the site to become overused, so it is important to rotate the infusion set insertion sites regularly
• To keep sites healthy, some people find it helpful to use a visual scheme to help them rotate their insertion sites in an organized way. For example, here are two commonly used methods. For maximum effectiveness, encourage the use of both methods, alternating between them.

Instruct your patient to visualize an imaginary clock drawn on the abdomen surrounding their belly button. Utilize infusion set insertion sites by starting at 12 o’clock and then rotate the site clockwise to 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and so on.

Have them imagine a letter M or a letter W on either side of the belly button; start at the end of one letter and proceed through the letter, rotating to each intersection in turn. 

Omnipod Dash

Discuss suitable Pod placement sites with your patients using the following guidelines:

• Ideal sites have a layer of fatty tissue
• Ideal sites offer easy access and viewing
• The site should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the previous site to avoid skin irritation
• The site should be at least two inches (5 cm) away from the navel
• Sites where belts, waistbands, or tight clothing may rub against or dislodge the Pod should be avoided
• Sites where the Pod will be affected by folds of skin should be avoided
• Sites where the Pod is placed over a mole, tattoo, or scar, should be avoided because insulin absorption may be reduced
• Areas of the skin with an active infection should be avoided

The Pod site map is an optional feature that helps your patient track their current and recent Pod site locations. This option only appears if the Pod Sites setting is turned on for use in Settings. 

Omnipod Dash

Instruct your patient to orient the Pod so it is:

• Horizontal or diagonal on the abdomen, hip, lower back, or buttocks.
• Up and down or at a slight angle on the upper arm or thigh.
• At least 3 inches (7.62 cm) from and within line of sight to the CGM for optimal connectivity. The Bluetooth connection between the CGM and the Pod does not travel well through the body. Keeping both devices within line of sight allows for consistent CGM communication with the Pod.

Note: Line of sight means that the Pod and CGM are worn on the same side of the body in a way that the two devices can "see" one another without the body blocking their communication

An infusion set can be worn anywhere on the body where a person would normally inject insulin. Absorption varies from site to site, so options should be discussed and individualized over time. The most commonly used sites are the abdomen, upper buttocks, hips, upper arms, and upper legs.

When discussing the abdominal area, it is important to mention the locations to avoid:

• Areas that would constrict the site such as the belt line, waistline, or where a person would normally bend
• Areas 2 inches around the bellybutton
• Any areas with scars, moles, stretch marks, or tattoos
  

Education on site rotation is important to encourage proper maintenance for healthy skin. The infusion set must be replaced and rotated every two to three days, or more often if needed by a particular patient. 

With experience, a person will find the areas that provide better absorption and are most comfortable for them.  Discourage the continual use of the same area to avoid scarring or lumps which can negatively impact insulin absorption.

Educate patients to keep the area and their equipment clean. In order to avoid infection and contamination, it is important to always use clean technique, wash their hands and use antiseptic wipes or infusion site preparation products.