LIVINGLIVING
AIR LIQUIDE HEALTHCARE (Tandem pump)
Following the recent lockdown imposed
to slow the spread of the COVID-19
virus, the majority of diabetes clinics up
and down the country were unable to
continue to operate as normal. This had
a significant impact on those people who
were due to transition to insulin pump
therapy or those due to upgrade to a new
device. Air Liquide Healthcare was quick
to adapt their t:slim X2 pump start training
in order to maintain a consistent service
to patients.
The team rolled out a newly developed
system in early March which allowed them
to deliver virtual t:slim X2 pump starts to
patients, their families and in some cases
their clinical teams. The training takes
place online, via video call, and is broken
up into sessions to allow participants
a chance to break, digest and reflect
between session.
The training also involves prework
which includes watching a series of online
videos about the pump, cartridge fills and
how to change infusion sets, as well as
reading the t:slim X2 quick start reference
guides that are to be followed during the
training.
Following the training, the team
maintain contact with patients for a period
of time to support with any additional
queries.
Air Liquide Healthcare's UK Diabetes
Business Manager, Simon Treadwell,
says, "We've seen continued demand for
pump starts during lockdown, particularly
following the announcement of the
launch of our advanced hybrid closed
loop software later in the summer. We
wanted to do what we could to ensure
continuation of service to our patients and
clinics and this has proved an effective
way to continue supporting people onto
our pump. We began offering virtual
pump starts to those who were already
on a pump and transitioning to a new
device but following the success of those
pump starts we'll be virtually training 'new
to pump' people too. We appreciate the
approach won't be for everyone, but for
those who are happy to learn this way it's
been a highly successful method."
Discussing how the move to virtual
pump starts has impacted patients at
Southampton General Hospital, Paediatric
Diabetes Nurse Specialist Jo Summerton
adds,"As a team, we were very anxious
about moving into the unknown of 'virtual
pump upgrades'. On reflection, we
needn't have worried. All parts of the
process have been seamless, from the
initial communication, to the education
delivery and the associated literature
and support. The education delivery has
been individually tailored to each of our
families, with our Air Liquide Account
Manager taking on board information from
our team. The technology platform which
has been used has worked successfully
with all our families and there have not
been any obstacles. We will definitely be
thinking about utilising these virtual pump
upgrades more and more and I think it will
change all of our practice moving forward.
We're incredibly grateful to Air Liquide for
supporting us during these challenging
times."
www.air
for those who are
happy to learn this
way, it's been a highly
successful method.
"
Simon Treadwell