Looking after your blood glucose meter

Diabetes management comes with lots of supplies and equipment. It is important that you store your medicines and look after your devices properly.

Keeping medicines safe 

• Medicines including insulin should always be kept in a safe place and stored correctly
• Insulin that is opened/in use can be kept at room temperature for up to one month. It should be kept away from direct sunlight and below 30 degrees.
• If it has been exposed to temperatures above 30 degrees it should be thrown away.
• Keep unopened insulin that is not being used in the fridge, away from the freezer compartment.
• Always discard (throw away) insulin that has been opened/in use for more than month.
• Always do a visual check of your insulin - it should be clear.
• If you are travelling to a hot country, you need to think about how you will keep your insulin at the correct temperature

Looking after insulin pumps and pump supplies 

• Insulin pumps are provided with a 4 year warranty that does not cover accidental damage, loss or theft. We recommend that you include your pump on your home insurance. We know that sometimes this can be challenging for families. Please let the team know if you are unable to insure your insulin pump.
• Always use the protective screen covers and cases provided with your pump. Disconnect tubed pumps before water activities as they are usually water resistant not waterproof.
• Protect your pump from extreme heat and moisture, for example do not use a pump in a sauna. Keep your pump out of direct sunlight when on holiday/at the beach. Be careful when applying sunscreens and insect repellents on holidays.
• The pump consumables are the cannulas, tubing, reservoirs, batteries, that are provided with the pump (Tandem, Medtronic and Ypsomed) or the PODs that are provided with Omnipod.
• Keep your pump supplies in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• If you have cannula/POD failures report these to the company. The NHS funding provides supplies to enable you to change your cannula or PODs every 2 -3 days. If you use more supplies because of failures the company should replace the faulty items for you.
• Respond to low battery alarms immediately and do not ignore them. Some pumps have rechargeable batteries that require regular charging whilst others use replaceable batteries. Use the correct charging cable for the tandem T:slim pump and charge for up to 10-15 minutes every day to maintain battery health.]

Looking after insulin pens 

• Insulin pens are available on prescription from your GP. If you are using an insulin pump or hybrid closed loop system you should still need to have insulin pens in case of a pump failure.
• There are 2 types of insulin pens.

Disposable - these pens are prefilled with insulin. Follow the guidance on storing insulin and keep unused pens in the fridge. In use pens can be kept at room temperature and should be thrown away after one month, even if there is still insulin left.

Re-usable - this is the type of pen usually provided by the hospital. If your pen has an insulin cartridge inserted, you should store it following the instructions for storing insulin. Throw the cartridge away after one month, even if there is still insulin left.

• Never store your pens with a needle attached.
• If you drop the pen or knock it on a hard surface check the insulin cartridge for damage before use.
• Keep the pens away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Do not wash, soak or lubricate your insulin pens. You can clean the pens with a damp cloth.
• If your pen is faulty and within warranty (3 years for a Novopen) contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
• Your insulin pens should be on your repeat prescription
• Consider insulin pen recycling programs. Some Novo insulin pens can be recycled via the Pencycle scheme

Safe needle disposal

• Never place used needles in your household rubbish.
• Needles should be put in a sharps bin.
• Your GP can provide a prescription for a sharps bin.
• Contact your local authority to arrange for a clinical waste collection

Looking after your sensors 

• Sensor and transmitter failures should always be reported to the company so that faulty sensors/transmitters can be replaced. NHS funding does not cover replacing faulty or lost sensors or transmitters (please see below for sensor specific information).
• If your sensor comes with a transmitter (Dexcom G6 or Guardian 4) keep your transmitter safe when changing your sensors as the transmitter needs to be reused.
• If you are not going to be home for a scheduled sensor delivery, please rearrange your delivery. Returned sensors will be destroyed and the NHS will still be charged. Failed deliveries cannot be replaced by the NHS.

Dexcom sensors

Failed or faulty Dexcom Sensors should be reported via technical support either of two ways. You will need your sensor serial number to do this. Not sure how to find your serial number for your Dexcom, check here.

How to report your failed or faulty sensor

1. Complete the online support request at any time – you will need the date that the sensor was inserted, the date it stopped working, the serial number and the transmitter number (if using Dexcom G6).
2. Call 0800 031 5763 during the following times: Monday - Friday 07:00 – 18:00, Saturday – Sunday, 08:00 – 16:30

Dexcom use DPD to deliver orders. You can track your order and rearrange delivery to a different address or safe place using the link in your shipping confirmation email. You can contact DPD or Dexcom to help with this. We will not authorise additional shipments for lost or misplaced orders. Shipping | Dexcom

Freestyle Libre (2, 2+ or 3)

Visit Freestyle Libre, click the “Support” option followed by “Contact Us”. The sensor support form, live chat and customer careline number are all available.

Medtronic (Guardian 4, Simplera Sync)

Report immediately via the Medtronic helpline at 01923 205167

Looking after blood glucose and ketone meters and finger pricking devices 

• Everyone needs a back up glucose meter that you can use if concerned about the accuracy of your sensor/ in event of sensor failure. It is important that the meter is kept in working order and you have in-date test strips.
• If you use a continuous glucose sensor you are entitled to up to 50 test strips (one pot) a month. Only request a new prescription when you need one to avoid waste and strips going out of date.
• Blood glucose meters should be registered with the company that makes them so that you can access replacement meters (and control solution) if there are any problems with your meter.
• Check the meter is performing as expected by doing a monthly control check with control solution.
• The blood glucose meter can also be used for checking blood ketones.
• The meter provided is the Glucofix Tech Meter - register your meter with the company at www.glucomen.co.uk
• Store the test strips away from heat and humidity (avoid kitchens and bathrooms).
• The finger pricker provided is the Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker. The Accu-Chek FastClix lancets are available on prescription. If you wish to have a spare finger pricker, you can buy these in pharmacies or via online pharmacies.

Contact Details

Emergency mobile: 07940 476 811

Email: uclh.cdorange@nhs.net or uclh.cddietitians@nhs.net

Further information and fact sheets can be found on our Children and Young People’s Diabetes web page.