Adapt basal insulin rate at time of admission for insulin pump patients

STEP 1 — Gather Information

Collect current pump settings (basal profile, total daily dose, insulin‑to‑carb ratio, correction factor), recent glucose trends (last 12‑24 h CGM or SMBG), admission diagnosis, anticipated hospital length of stay, patient’s ability to self‑manage the pump, and any factors that may interrupt pump use (e.g., impaired consciousness, NPO status, need for MRI, vasopressors).
Action: Proceed to assess suitability for pump continuation.

STEP 2 — Rule In / Rule Out

Determine if the hospital has personnel with expertise in insulin pump therapy and the patient can safely self‑manage the pump.

• Yes: Continue insulin pump therapy; move to Step 3.
• No: Plan transition to scheduled subcutaneous basal‑bolus insulin before pump discontinuation (per guideline for anticipated LOS > 1‑2 days).
  Decision: Either continue pump or prepare for transition.

STEP 3 — Classify or Stratify

For patients continuing pump, evaluate need for basal rate adjustment:

• If TDD ≥ 0.6 U/kg, recent hypoglycemia, or expected increased insulin resistance (infection, steroids) → consider basal reduction (10‑20%).
• If anticipated decreased insulin needs (NPO, reduced caloric intake) → consider basal reduction as above.
• If persistent hyperglycemia despite current settings → consider basal increase (5‑10%).
• Otherwise, retain current basal rates.
  Decision: Determine the basal rate adjustment percentage to apply at admission.

STEP 4 — Decide

Program the pump with the adjusted basal rate (or calculate equivalent basal dose for SC BBI if transitioning). Write an order specifying the new basal rate, frequency of glucose checks (CGM or POC‑BG q1‑2 h initially), and plan for reassessment every 4‑6 h or with clinical change.
Action: Implement adjusted basal rate and initiate glucose monitoring.

Clinical Guardrails / Mimics / Pitfalls

• Do not adjust basal rates without verifying pump functionality and patient competence.
• Avoid making changes if the pump will be interrupted by procedures (MRI, CT) without a plan to revert to manual mode.
• Never rely solely on pump‑reported glucose; confirm with point‑of‑care measurements before dosing changes.
• Do not discontinue pump without having a ready subcutaneous insulin regimen to prevent DKA.

Concrete Clinical Example

A 58‑year‑old with type 1 diabetes on pump (basal 0.8 U/hr, TDD 0.55 U/kg) is admitted for cellulitis with expected LOS 3 days; pump expertise is available and the patient is competent. Recent glucose trends show mild hyperglycemia (150‑180 mg/dL). The team decides to reduce the basal rate by 10 % to 0.72 U/hr at admission, initiates CGM/POC‑BG checks q1 h, and plans to reassess the basal rate q6 h or with glucose changes.

Source: Management of Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Adult Patients in Non-Critical Care Settings: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, Endocrine Society, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac278