By utilizing Certified Pump Trainers (CPTs) to teach patients how to best utilize their insulin pumps, our clinic has been able to provide superior care to their patients with diabetes, with zero additional clinic resources. This innovative partnership with all 3 pump companies has resulted in the doubling of the pump program in less than 1 years time. UCHealth patients treated within this program started with baseline HbA1cs as high as > 14.5%, with reductions achieved down to as low as 5.2%. Even though approximately 15% of patients did not reach glycemic goals, diabetes-related hospitalizations were reduced by 82% in that subpopulation after initiating pump therapy. These superiorA1C reductions and reduced hospitalizations outcomes are attributed in part to the advantage of having the expertise of company-trained CPT providing customized doing the insulin pump education, personalized training done in partnership between the CDE and CPT prior to training after a review of the patient’s assessment of preferred learning style(s). Additional clinical needs, educational barriers, and psychosocial issues prepare the CPT for a more comprehensive, individualized training. Easy access to care after initial training is essential, with both the CPT and the CDE providing phone support and in-person follow up in 1-2 weeks. Proper pump selection factoring in each patient’s needs, coupled with very patient-specific customization is contributing to the achievement of these superior outcomes and a doubling of our pump program without utilizing clinic resources.
L.A. Miysshiro: None. D. Hinnen: None.
